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Similar to rest of state, MFL MarMac test scores dipped in 2021

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By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

The MFL MarMac school board, at its Sept. 13 meeting, reviewed the district’s latest Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) test scores. Third grade teacher Jennifer Wilwert presented the data from the English/language arts, math and science tests taken in March and April 2021.

 

“Normally we show a three-year trend—the same grade level with three separate sets of students—and how many were considered proficient. There’s no particular pattern,” Wilwert told the board.

 

She also looked at the same class and how it developed over several years.

 

“We’re trying to grow our kids to proficiency, so we know middle school years are tough. Then, hopefully, in ninth, 10th and 11th grade, we’re going to see our scores go up,” Wilwert said.

 

Additional slides looked at each grade level separately, breaking down which percentage of the class was not proficient, what was considered proficient and what was considered advanced proficient.

 

“You add proficient and advanced proficient together and get total proficient. Then you can compare to what the state average was,” said Wilwert. “Then I broke it down into sub groups, so males, females, low socioeconomic and our IEP students. I did not see any trends, like all males did better, all females did better. It changes from grade level to grade level.”

 

Wilwert said teachers have not yet been given information as to how to interpret proficiency, nor do they have test item analysis to know which questions or concepts kids missed most often.

 

Teachers can use the data to target students who tested low.

 

“But keep in mind it’s a one-day snap shot. If they had a bad day, get test anxiety, whatever it happens to be,” she said. “What’s nice about the ISASP is it’s unlimited time. Kids can take as long as they want. It’s also on the computer, so they are getting used to that type of format.” 

 

Superintendent Dale Crozier admitted he was initially concerned about the 2021 scores.

 

“When you see a 30 proficient but the state is 33, or we’re 50 and the state is 48. We’re 50 and above the state, but 30 percent lower than we used to be. That was kind of a hard pill to swallow,” he said, “but when you put it in perspective, we’re not so bad.”

 

Wilwert and curriculum director Eliza Philpott said a 2021 slide was not unexpected due to educational disruptions related to the pandemic. And MFL MarMac is not alone in seeing lower scores.

 

“Look at the state average. That’s not necessarily anything super high,” Wilwert shared.

 

Philpott compared MFL MarMac to two other local districts.

 

“We’re all about the same,” she said.

 

Pay raise for substitute teachers

At Crozier’s suggestion, the board approved raising pay for substitute teachers. Under the new proposal, substitute pay will increase from $120 per day to $124, based on an eight-hour day. Long-term substitutes, or those who work for 10 or more days at one time, will see an increase from $140 to $150 per day.

 

“We need to be competitive with our neighbors,” Crozier said. “We have a hard time finding subs.”

 

Staffing changes approved

At the meeting, the board also approved several staffing changes. That included the resignation of Joe Milewsky as assistant golf coach and new contracts for Sherrie Hallberg for food service and elementary paraprofessional and Kylie Sandstrom as an assistant volleyball coach.

 

Storm damage assessed

Crozier updated the board on damage sustained during the storm on Friday evening, Aug. 27. Most notably, three sets of portable bleachers were destroyed. Wind deposited them on the football field only minutes after players and fans had been evacuated during the season opener.

 

“We’ve already got new bleachers ordered for $15,000. We’re also going to get a new roof on the old building and a roof on the pool house. The fence around the track was damaged, and that will be repaired,” Crozier stated. 

 

Additionally, five trees were destroyed, four air conditioning units need repaired, the softball and baseball scoreboards were damaged, a flag pole was snapped and the tennis court light was bent. 

 

“We’re working on all that,” said Crozier. “The big thing is no people were damaged. That was a scary 10 minutes.”

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