Higher Test Score Standards Could Lead To Drop In Graduation Rates
May 21, 2018
Freshmen entering Florida high schools this fall will need higher scores on alternative tests to meet graduation standards in math and language arts, under a rule adopted by the state Board of Education on Wednesday.
School districts warned the higher test scores could prevent more minority students and students learning to speak English from graduating. But state education officials said the new “concordant” scores on exams like the SAT or ACT, which can be used in place of regular assessments, will bring those alternative tests in line with more rigorous education standards adopted in 2016.
The change won’t effectively take place until the spring of 2022, when this fall’s freshman class will be graduating from high school.
The rule impacts students who cannot pass the language arts portion of the Florida Standards Assessment exam, which replaced the FCAT. It will also affect students who cannot pass the “end-of-course” exam for Algebra 1.
Students have the option of using alternative tests like the SAT or ACT to meet those high-school graduation standards. They currently also can take the Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) to meet the algebra requirement.
The new rule, adopted by the Board of Education during a meeting in Pinellas County, would raise the passing scores for the 2022 graduates on the SAT and ACT. It would also eliminate the PERT, which state officials said is not as rigorous as current math standards.
For instance, the passing score for the reading and writing portion of the SAT would increase from 430 to 480. Students would need a 420 on the math portion of the SAT or a 16 on the ACT math test to meet the algebra requirement.
In an amendment adopted Wednesday, the state board also added the preliminary SAT (PSAT) as another option for meeting the graduation requirements.
But the board’s action came over the objections of a number of Florida school districts, which have questioned the impact of the higher tests scores on their graduation rates.
Kelly Thompson, director of assessment and accountability for the Seminole County school system, said half of the students who currently use the alternative tests to help the district achieve its 88.6 percent graduation rate will not be able to do that with the higher scores.
She projected it would mean 428 students, including 252 African-American and Hispanic students, would end up “without a high-school diploma because of a number on a test on a given day” once the new scores take effect.
Ashlee Zienteck was one of three Winter Springs High School students who asked the board not to adopt the rule.
Zienteck said she was diagnosed with a learning disability in elementary school but will graduate this year, having earned passing scores on the SAT and ACT to make up for falling short by “one question” on the FSA.
“Please don’t change the scores because it makes it harder not only for me but for other kids that are like me who struggle with testing,” said Zienteck, who has earned a scholarship to play softball in college.
In a resolution to the board, Duval County projected the new rule would reduce its graduation rate by 7 to 11 percent, denying 850 students a diploma. Duval officials said the impact could be even greater for schools serving high-poverty populations, projecting graduation declines as high as 30 percent.
Although the vote for the rule was unanimous, several board members expressed concern about the impact.
Michael Olenick, who said he had a son who struggled to earn his high-school degree, said he understood the board had to adopt the rule to comply with the state law on testing standards, but the impact on minority and non-English speaking students “is still hanging over my head.”
Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said the debate over the policy and its impact occurred in 2016, when the board adopted the rule imposing the new testing structure. She said Wednesday’s rule implemented that policy after education officials had collected enough data to set the alternative test scores based on the new standards.
Stewart also said the Department of Education would maintain its priority of reducing the graduation-rate gap between at-risk students and the overall student population.
“It is about ensuring we do the right thing by those vulnerable students that we have talked about, to ensure that they graduate with those competencies and skills that they need in the world no matter what they are going to do,” she said.
by Lloyd Dunkelberger, The News Service of Florida
Bratt Elementary Celebrates Reading With Star Wars Party
May 21, 2018
Bratt Elementary School held a Star Wars themed Accelerated Reader Party for students that met their reading goals for the year.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names Students Of The Month
May 20, 2018
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named Students of the Month. They Are D’Shayla James and Eli Forehand (above). Students of the month for April were Tucker Barnes and Kileigh Richardson (below). Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview High Names 2018 Honors Graduates; Announces $835K In Scholarships
May 18, 2018
Northview High School named their honor graduates Thursday night, as $835,812 in scholarships were announced for the Class of 2018.
Valedictorian of the Class of 2018 is Triston Parker Long, and salutatorian is Sarah Elizabeth Perritt (pictured top).
For additional photos, click here.
Summa Cum Laude (4.0 GPA and above) graduates are, in class rank order:
1. Triston Parker Long
2. Sarah Elizabeth Perritt
3. Hannah Grace Nelson
4. Tara Faith Windham
5. Destiny McKenna Watson
6. Hannah Mascaro
7. Jacob Andrew White
8. Anna Belle Barberree
9. Miracle Breanna Deloach
10. Kayla Nicole Galvan
11. Logan Daniel Calloway
12. Alayna Lauren Brown
Magna Cum Laude graduates (3.85 or higher) are:
13. John Elmer Chivington Jr.
14. Bailee Brianna Hinote
Cum Laude (3.5 and above) graduates are:
15. Jason Riley Fischer
16. Logan Michael Doremus
17. Jarrod Latrell Davison
18. Bria Ashlynn Hardy
19. Laura Abbygale Hammond
20. Braxton Wade Edwards
21. Robin Marie Nahkala
22. Natasha Nykeria Walker
Scholarships were awarded or offered as follows:
Anna Belle Barbarree
- Escambia Retired Educator’s Association – $1,000
- Delta Kappa Gamma Scholarship – $150
- PSC Academic – $1,800
- Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational – $2,880
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $500
Dawson Brown
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
Rhayeshawnna Davidson
- Johnson & Wales University – FBLA Scholarship – $8,000
- Johnson & Wales University – Presidential Academic Scholarship – $28,000
Logan Calloway
- UWF – Academic Merit – $12,000
Alexandra Carter
- PSC Scholastic Achievement Award – $500
Jarrod Davison
- Leola Robinson – $250
- James O. Gordon Schoalrship – $250
- Strides for Academic Excellence – $500
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
Miracle Deloach
- Bright Fututres – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- UWF -Academic Merit – $16,000
Donnie Dixon
- George Stone Scholarship – $1,000
- Northview FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Award – $500
- Tri Cities Volunteers – $1,000
Jason Fischer
- Take Stock in Children – $12,000
- University of South Alabama University Scholarship – $14,000
- Bright Fututres – Florida Medallion Scholar – $9,240
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
- Zachary Barrow Memorial Scholarship – $1,500
- UWF – Academic Merit – $12,000
Kayla Galvan
- Take Stock in Children – $12,000
- UWF – Academic Merit – $12,000
Austin Ging
- Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational – $2,880
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
Logan Hall
- Coastal Alabama Theater Sholarship – $12,300
- Coastal Alabama Book Scholarship – $3,000
John Wesley Hardin
- George Stone Scholarship – $1,000
- Northview FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Award – $500
Bria Hardy
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
Cole Hassebrock
- Ruritan Award – $300
- Northview FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Award – $1,000
Bailee Hinote
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $25,000
Cody Kite
- Glenn Key Memorial Award – $1,000
- Jamie Hall Memorial Award – $1,000
- Northview FFA Alumni – Tommy Weaver Award – $1,000
Triston Long
- University of Alabama – UA Scholar Scholarship – $90,000
- Valedictorian Award – United Bank – $500
- Auburn University – Ceddrick C. Mack Memorial Beacon Leadership Endowed Scholarship – $20,000
- Auburn University – Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship
- Auburn Universtiy – Lee Moody Endowed Scholarship – $1,000
- University of West Florida – Merit Scholarship – $20,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $25,000
- UWF – Academic Merit – $20,000
Hannah Mascaro
- UWF Academic Merit – $16,000
Hannah Nelson
- Florida State University – University Freshman Scholarship – $9,600
- EREC – Hermann Johnson – $4,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $25,000
- UWF – Academic Merit – $20,000
Lari McCann
- Take Stock in Children – $12,000
Sarah Perritt
- University of Alabama – Birmingham – Presidential Recognition Scholarship – $43,440
- University of South Alabama – Presidential Scholarship – $38,992
- Mississippi State – Academic Excellence – $24,000
- University of Mississippi – Academic Excellence – $32,760
- Salutatorian Award – First National Bank – $300
Orelbis Oscar Rodriguez
- Bright Futures – CAPE – $2,880
- Pensacola Civitan – $100
Mary Sanders
- PSC Music Award – $2,000
Andrew Sharpless
- Quarterback Club – $500
- University of South Alabama University Scholarship – $14,000
Fisher Spence
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
Hunter Spence
- Atmore Rotary All Star – $250
- Bright Futures – Gold Seal Vocational – $2,880
Evan Till
- Coastal Alabama Theater Scholarship – $12,300
- Coastal Alabama Book Scholarship – $3,000
- International Paper Scholarship – $1,000
Destiny Watson
- Louisiana State University Tiger Excellence – $48,000
- Louisiana State University Tiger Nation Scholarship – $13,340
- Florida Institute of Technology – Panther Fund Schoalrship – $20,550
- Florida Institute of Technology – LP Whitehead Schoalrship – $5,000
- University of Oklahoma – $32,000
- Bright Futures – Florida Academic Scholar – $25,000
Jacob White
- University of Alabama – Collegiate Scholar Scholarship – $24,000
- UWF – Academic Merit – $16,000
Madison White
- Bright Futures- CAPE – 2880
- Atmore Rotary All Star – 250
Tara Windham
- Atmore Rotary All Star – 500
Photos: Canadian Forces Snowbirds Perform At Pensacola NAS
May 17, 2018
The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds demonstration team flies flew over Pensacola Naval Air Station.
Photos by Perry Doggrell for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Ernest Ward Middle Holds Appreciation Day Celebration
May 17, 2018
Ernest Ward Middle School held an Appreciation Day Celebration Wednesday to thank businesses and groups that have supported the school during the past year.
The school recognized Craig and Bonnie Exner, Barrineau Park Historical Society; Christa Wilson, Un-Dents PDR; Annie Nowak, Poarch Creen Indians; Sabrina Owens, EREC; Haley Revette and Nellie Salter, Navy Federal FCU; Billy Danielson, Smith Tractor; Joey Hetrick, Escambia Farm Bureau; William Reynolds, NorthEscambia.com; and Michelle Taylor and Steven Harrell, Escambia County School District.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Results: Escambia Schools Battle Of The Books
May 16, 2018
Battle of the Books is an annual competition that challenges students to read a set of books designated as Sunshine State Readers for grades 3-8 or Florida Teen Reads for grades 9-12.
Teams are formed at each grade level to compete and see who remembers the most facts, or who can make the best comparisons and connections between the books. Team members have been reading these books all year and they have been quizzing each other and practicing for the battle for months. They must work together and quickly to get all of the questions answered within a 12 minute time limit. This year, 95 teams, comprised of 429 students from K-12 schools in Escambia County, competed in the Battle.
Winnders were:
Third Grade:
- Beulah Elementary School
- Bellview Elementary School
- Oakcrest Elementary School
Fourth Grade:
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Lipscomb Elementary School
- Hellen Caro Elementary School
Fifth Grade:
- Pleasant Grove Elementary School
- Beulah Elementary School
- Ferry Pass & Hellen Caro Elementary schools (tie)
Middle School:
- Brown Barge Middle School (Team A)
- Brown Barge Middle School (Team C)
- Bailey Middle School (Team A)
High School:
- Booker T. Washington High School
- Tate High School (Team A)
- Escambia High School (Team A)
Northview Class Of 2018 Holds Baccalaureate Service (With Gallery)
May 14, 2018
The Northview High School Class of 2018 held their Baccalaureate service Sunday afternoon at the First Baptist Church of Bratt.
The program also included scripture, prayer, music provide by the Northview Senior Class Ensemble, and a message from Rev. Nathan Brown of Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church.
Graduation for the Northview High School Class of 2018 will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, May 19 at the school.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Powered By Tate And PHS, Academic Team Takes State Title
May 14, 2018
In a hard-fought, back and forth, brain-busting battle, the Escambia County Academic All-Star Team walked away from the Commissioner’s Academic Challenge Finals as Division 2 state champions.
In the three-round competition, Team Escambia was behind after the first round, but it was still a close competition. At the end of round 2, there were four teams who were positioned to take the championship, with Okaloosa County in the lead. The third round was when Team Escambia showed their true grit by answering key questions down the stretch and earning 26 or 30 points on the final team worksheet round while minimizing points lost by answering incorrectly. Eventually, the ECSD team, made up of students from Pensacola high and Tate High schools, beat out the teams from Okaloosa and Leon counties to emerge as this year’s champion. In addition, John Dixon of Tate High was named to the all-tournament team for his outstanding performance.
The All-Star Academic Team is composed of the top six high-school “quiz bowl” players in our district along with two alternates. The students compete in rigorous academic competitions that focus on such subject areas as math, science, language arts, social studies, fine arts, and foreign language. Coached by Allan Robinson from Pensacola High School, the members of this year’s Academic All-Star Team are John Dixon, Michael Dixon, and Maggie Brown (Tate High School), and Ally Shah, Philip Mann, Connor Zemeska, and Abby Lyons (Pensacola High School).
The Commissioner’s Academic Challenge, held each April at Walt Disney World, is Florida’s state championship tournament. The CAC features all-star teams from various Florida counties who compete in three divisions based on K-12 full-time enrollment.
Pictured top: Team Escambia (front, L-R) Abby Lyons, Ally Shah, Maggie Brown, Michael Dixon; (back, L-R) Philip Mann, Coach Tristan Harris, Connor Zameska and John Dixon. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
The ‘Secret Garden Tour’ Will Include Cantonment Treasures
May 14, 2018
The Pensacola Federation of Garden Clubs annual Secret Gardens of the Emerald Coast Garden Tour will feature six residential gardens, two of which are in Cantonment, and the Escambia County Extension Demonstration Garden, also in Cantonment.
The Secret Gardens Tour Committee selected seven unique and beautiful private residential gardens, selected for their creativity, use of native plants, stunning garden features and interesting horticulture specimens.
One Cantonment garden the beautifully developed Grande Oaks Farms subdivision off Tate Road. This home was built on the natural springs lake, with a backyard that slopes dramatically to a reverse wall to control erosion. A dock provides easy access for fishing. The stunning North Alabama stone staircase with multiple patio landings connects the house and lawn area. The front curb appeal is achieved with an explosion of seasonal color in curved beds, provided by well-established coral drift roses, Purple Pixie dwarf loropetalum, Veronica Sunny Border Blue, varied shades of SunPatiens, and lavender. Placed throughout are several sizes of flat rock formations. A Tamukeyama Japanese Maple and two larger Bloodgood Japanese Maples frame the traditional brick home and are lovely statement specimens.
Another garden is located off Highway 297A in Cantonment with a “greenhouse tour” focusing on a stunning collection of cacti and succulents. The beautifully constructed greenhouse holds a variety of specimens in terra cotta clay pots. Enhance your appreciation of arid climate vegetation in this environment-controlled grower’s paradise.
The tour will also feature the Escambia County Demonstration Gardens on Stefani Road in Cantonment. Attendees can stroll through a total of nine themed garden areas featuring a wide variety of plants and garden types. A wonderful resource for all community residents, the Extension Service trained Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions. Grow houses hold the propagation area, and the bog and sensory garden includes educational features for adaptive gardening ideas and gardening inspiration for youth.
The Secred Garden Tour is May 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person which includes a guide booklet with addresses, a map and driving directions to the gardens. Children 12 and under are free. The tour will be held rain or shine.
Tickets are available 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through Friday at the The Garden Center, 1850 N 9th Ave, Pensacola.