Student test scores increase at New London High School

By STEPH TAHTINEN

Mt. Pleasant News

NEW LONDON ? New London Community High School students? ACT scores went up in 2011, according to a report given to the school.

?Our average in just about every category is up or even with what we had previously,? Mike Jones, high school principal, told the New London School Board at its Monday night meeting.

The number of students who took the test also increased. There were 24 tested in 2011, compared to 14 in 2010, 24 in 2009, 25 in 2008 and 14 in 2007.

In all categories the scores went up from 2010, though they stayed in the same range as previous years. The district?s average ACT scores by category for the past five years were as follows:

English: 21.5 in 2011; 19.0 in 2010; 20.9 in 2009; 21.4 in 2008 and 21.5 in 2007.

Mathematics: 21.8 in 2011; 18.1 in 2010; 20.5 in 2009; 21.4 in 2008 and 20.7 in 2007.

Reading: 22.4 in 2011; 20.1 in 2010; 21.9 in 2009; 22.8 in 2008 and 20.8 in 2007.

Science: 22.7 in 2011; 19.3 in 2010; 21.1 in 2009; 23.2 in 2008 and 22.4 in 2007.

In 2011, New London?s average science score was higher than the state?s average ? 22.7 compared to 22.4.

The composite score averages for the past five years are as follows: 22.2 in 2011; 19.3 in 2010; 21.2 in 2009; 22.2 in 2008 and 21.5 in 2007.

The report given to the district also rates the percentage of ACT-tested students ready for college-level coursework, comparing the district?s average to the state?s average. New London?s percentage was higher in all categories except for college biology.

In English composition, 79 percent of New London students are ready for college-level coursework (meaning they got at least an 18 on the ACT English Test). The state percentage was 77 percent.

For algebra, 58 percent of New London students scored at least a 22 on the ACT mathematics test, compared to 52 percent statewide.

In social science, 71 percent of New London students scored at least a 21 on the ACT reading test, compared to only 62 percent statewide.

In biology, only 33 percent of New London students scored at least a 24 on the ACT science test; 40 percent of students statewide did.

Thirty-three percent of New London students met all benchmark scores indicating they are ready for college-level coursework. The state percentage was 31.

In other business, the New London School Board approved matching funds raised for a new track up to the amount of $10,000. The school board has approved to match up to this amount in previous years as fundraising efforts have been underway to build a track for the district.

?I think $10,000 is at least a sign to the community that we?re still trying to go for this,? said Shane Barron, high school boys track coach who has been working on fundraising for the past six years. However, fundraisers have not been happening recently because of last year?s general election bond issue in which a new track was being planned.

?I did not fundraise last year since the bond issue was actually doing that for me,? said Barron.

However, that bond issue was not approved, so Barron is back to working on fundraising efforts.

?I?m sure for every person who comes in here, you?ll find one who says we don?t [need a track],? said Barron. ?That?s been proven in the past year, but I still believe in it.?

Although Barron said he seems to have become the face for this project, his original intention six years ago was simply to get the ball rolling.

?I?m not a professional fundraiser, it?s not what I do,? said Barron.

In the six years of fundraising, about $72,000 has been raised.

?That money?s all just waiting to be used,? said Barron.

That money is sitting in an account gaining interest. There is also additional money added to the fund from voluntary payroll deductions from some of the faculty.

?In just pay roll deductions, we have $56 a month that employees are donating out of their check,? said Jessica Boyer, school board secretary. Barron noted that $20 of that amount comes from his paycheck.

In other business, the board was presented a petition from the Keep Improving District Schools (KIDS) Committee asking for the approval for a general obligation bond election on Feb. 14.

?If you as a board approve it, that is the earliest date that an election could be held,? said Superintendent Chuck Reighard.

Since the bond issue was rejected by voters in December 2010, the committee has been working on another attempt to have the bond passed and implement some of the infrastructure changes that were included in the bond issue.

The board will take action on the petition at its October meeting.