Indiana school superintendents try to stay optimistic for 2017

Schneider, along with other Indiana superintendents, noted ongoing concern over ISTEP from educators and parents. While Schneider believes legislators acknowledged it and — somewhat — worked to correct it through an ISTEP committee tasked with replacing the test, he said there were no “sweeping positive changes” made.

“I’m not really optimistic that’s going to get done,” Schneider said. “And that’s unfortunate.”

Without a doubt, ISTEP has once again dominated education conversations this year and wreaked havoc across multiple school years.

And there’s no end in sight.

The test, given to students in grades 3-8 and last spring to grade 10, covers subjects such as English/language arts and math, as well as science in grades 4 and 6. ISTEP pass rates play a role in determining teacher compensation and assigned A-F school accountability grades.

Scores for 2016 were publicly released in mid-November.

About two months after students return from winter break, they’ll take the first portion of ISTEP.

Educators and parents across the state are tired of it and question the test’s validity.

Southwestern Indiana superintendents agree, there’s no denying educators want accountability, but Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith said it’s frustrating that it focuses on one test.

“I’m gathering a sense of, and frankly I think it is growing quite a bit, is that our parents and citizenry are getting frustrated with Indiana’s fixation on ISTEP. … There was actually in 2016 a state law enacted to do away with ISTEP, and I think they since have found out that it’s not quite that simple,” Smith said. “Now I hear ISTEP will be around in some form for at least two years and potentially beyond.”

However, EVSC educators have implemented other classroom improvements over the past few years to help students succeed, said Katie Minihan, EVSC assistant superintendent for strategy and accountability. Minihan said she’s optimistic the district will see gains in A-F accountability grades next year.

“When we look at internal metrics that we have and when we look at ourselves compared to similar districts, we do see that positive trend for the EVSC,” she said. “But what will be difficult is knowing that the accountability will slightly change, the assessment will change, and it will be a moving target again for a period of time.”

Administrators continue to stress that public education, students and teachers are more than just a letter grade based on one assessment test.

Metropolitan School District of North Posey County Superintendent Todd Camp said there are many programs and activities students participate in that aren’t graded.

“I think when we look at grades they need to look at other things other than math and English,” Camp said.

“Our state has taken one test and labeled your schools. … That’s what we worry about,” said Tom Kopatich, Metropolitan School District of Mount Vernon superintendent. “When you’re not labeled an ‘A’ school then other people have concerns. The naysayers have concerns.”

EDUCATION LEADERS TRY TO STAY OPTIMISTIC

Looking into the new year, Schneider said education has a “mountain to climb.”

“We need to start taking some steps in the right direction in this state when it comes to policy for public education — K-12 education — and I always like to think of myself as an optimist,” he said. “My glass is always half full, but I’m not sure we’re at a point we’re ready to take that step yet.”

Smith hopes in 2017 officials will think of educational reform differently with a goal to bring balance into public education.

“I hope we actually solicit and listen to the input of educators and individuals who have made it their life’s work to study assessments and what those assessments can mean for students,” he said.

For the EVSC, 2017 will bring construction on the new McCutchanville Elementary School, a prekindergarten through sixth-grade facility. The 1,000capacity school will be built just north of McCutchanville Park on Petersburg Road, between Eagle Crossing and Viehe Drive. The new school is meant to alleviate growing pains at Scott and Oak Hill schools, with students, teachers and staff primarily coming from those two schools for the 2018-19 school year.

At a community meeting in mid-December, a parent asked about bus service if students live within 1-mile of the school. Smith said bus routes will be available so students are not forced to walk along Petersburg Road.

EVSC officials are still exploring the possibility of making the school net-zero, meaning it would produce as much energy as it consumes. If total project costs allow, Smith thinks it could be powered through solar power.

Initially, EVSC officials anticipated the school would cost between $13.5 and $15 million, but that estimation was based off about $140 per square foot. It will actually be closer to $219 per square foot, Smith said. Savings from other EVSC capital projects will pay for the school.

“We still feel very confident we will be able to pay for it with cash,” Smith said.

Bids were sent out Dec. 5 and are due back Jan. 5, according to Smith. A school board meeting originally scheduled for Jan. 9 will instead take place Jan. 12 so the board can review bids.

Also in the new year, EVSC’s 20162021 Continuous Improvement Plan – “Maximizing Potential: Blueprint for Student Success” – will be implemented.

Smith said it is an “outgrowth” of the three-year plan the board approved in 2013. The plan is organized into three priorities: student learning, human capital and infrastructure. Each priority has strategies and a goal tied to it.

“I think it holds tremendous promise,” Smith said. “It’s also unique in that it focuses on neurological health, how a child’s brain develops and those elements that are necessary for a healthy brain.”

Despite the challenges from state officials, Schneider is proud of the work teachers and students are still getting done.

“Not just in Warrick County, but all of Southwestern Indiana as far as preparing our kids … Teachers are a dedicated bunch of people, and they give a lot of heart and soul and energy to prepare kids to be successful,” he said.

Schneider believes positive work from educators will continue in 2017, but he said help from legislators in supporting public schools would be beneficial. It’s difficult to overcome obstacles like lack of adequate funding to an assessment and accountability system that is “fatally flawed,” Schneider said.

“I don’t have a lot of optimism looking forward with Gov.-elect (Eric) Holcomb. … This idea that we’re going to continue to throw money at charter schools and vouchers, when the research shows public schools are outperforming charter schools on a regular basis, is a real headscratcher,” Schneider said. “But we’ll just keep working our tails off and doing the very best for kids.”