Changes made to improve math, reading

PRESCOTT – Changes have been made to improve reading and math at the primary school level.

This is what was told to the Prescott School Board at its August meeting Monday. Angie Bryant talked about how the district has gone from Benchmark exams to a new Atlas Assessment, which is criteria-based. Now, Bryant said, the district can follow students’ progress from grade to grade as a group to see how they’re doing. Basically, this means the progress of third graders can be measured in the fourth grade based on the same group of students.

Reading is the primary focus this year, followed by math. Bryant informed the panel the district is making progress in math during the early years, but it drops off later on. Science, she said, is more of a reading test with charts than actual science.

She also talked about the district’s improvement plan, saying one was done for each building. The major plan is to improve reading scores. She pointed out the state has to approve the plan and the district may have to make changes. “If student’s can read, they will struggle with everything else,” she said. To help improve reading scores, the state has hired literacy specialists to visit classrooms, check curriculum and see what can be done to help students learn to read better.

Willie Wilson talked about the minority recruitment and retention plan, saying the district brought in two minority teachers this year. He said there’s also a minority social worker, Ashley Dixon, who does interventions on absenteeism and provides life counseling. The focus, though, is for the district to grow its own minority teachers.

In other business, the board approved the transfer of two students to the Arkadelphia School District, and awarded bids for two vehicles, an Impala and an Envoy. The Impala sold for $2,150, while the Envoy went for $1,500.

The statement of assurance was approved, which basically states the district will follow all rules and regulations of the state. In addition, the ACH transitions were approved, as required by auditors concerning doing online payroll.

The district’s student population is 894, with 331 in Prescott Elementary School, 262 in Prescott Junior High and 301 in Prescott High School.