The results of the Spring 2013 ISTEP+ tests taken by Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation students in grades 3-8 show several percentage point gains over the past three years of scores at all grade levels in both English/Language Arts (E/LA) and Mathematics, some by as much as 15 percent.

One-year gains were experienced at every grade level except third and fifth grade English/Language Arts.

“We are very pleased to see gains across the board,” said David Smith, EVSC superintendent. “When you look at the three-year gains, increases are seen at every grade level. It is clear that we are moving in the right direction. The three year gains that EVSC students have made can be attributed to the continuity of efforts taking place throughout the EVSC, hard work of teachers and staff and support of families.”

Velinda Stubbs, chief academic officer for the EVSC said,  “For the past three years, our schools have very intentionally used student data,” Stubbs said. “We have been very specific about analyzing assessment results and student work. Schools have used student data to determine a focus for instruction for all students. In addition, we have used individual student data to determine supports for students who are not at mastery of specific skills and to accelerate or enrich the education of students who are already at mastery.  Even students are part of the process and many have kept personal data notebooks to track academic progress and growth on assessments.”  This work is all a part of the Response to Intervention model.

“The double digit gains over last year’s scores that many of our schools experienced is certainly something we are proud of ,” Stubbs said. Some, but not all, standouts include:

·       Daniel Wertz, who saw a 14% increase in E/LA at Grade 3 and a 33% increase in Math; and a 41% gain in E/LA in the fourth grade and a 37% gain in math.

·       Fairlawn Elementary saw gains in both subject areas at all grade levels tested.

·       Delaware had a 24% gain in math scores at third grade; and a 26% gain in E/LA scores at sixth grade, as well as 11% hike in scores for math.

·       Vogel also saw a big increase in E/LA scores at 16% for its sixth graders, and a 19% gain in math.

·       Helfrich Park STEM Academy saw a 20% increase in E/LA scores for its eighth graders and a 15% increase for those taking the math test. It also had a 17% increase in sixth grade math scores.

·       Cedar Hall eighth graders also saw a 14% increase in math scores.

·       Lincoln fifth and seventh graders had a 20% increase in math scores.

·       North Junior High experienced increases of 10% for seventh graders taking the E/LA tests, and 12% for those taking the math test. They saw similar increases at the eighth grade level with increases of 11% for E/LA and 9% for math.

“We were concerned we would not see the results of the efforts of our staff, students and families after the testing agency for ISTEP+, CTB, had across-the-state periodic interruptions all throughout the testing.  As expressed at recent school board meetings, students, families, and teachers were frustrated with the testing process and the inability to take the test from start to finish, without interruption,” said Superintendent Smith. “However, we are pleased that the progress our predictive assessments indicated would be achieved – was achieved by our students.”

Smith said it is important to note that in most cases, students of means, who historically have scored well on standardized tests, continue to do so – and it is important to watch the gains from those who come to the EVSC less prepared than others.  While all gains are important, these gains are impressive, Smith pointed out. “This clearly indicates EVSC staff are closing the achievement gap,” Smith said. “We take all students, regardless of their varying abilities and prior experiences and use a variety of educational strategies to motivate and educate them so that all are able to reach their fullest potential.”

$13.7 million Department of Transportation grant awarded for runway expansion project

Today, Representative Larry Bucshon announced a Department of Transportation discretionary grant awarded to the Evansville Regional Airport to help complete the runway expansion project that is currently in progress.

In his role on the House Aviation Subcommittee and representative for the Evansville area in Congress, Bucshon worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to secure the $13.7 million grant.

“Our community relies on the Evansville Regional Airport for travel and businesses rely on this hub to transport goods and services,” said Bucshon.  “I am pleased to see this grant awarded to help with the runway expansion project. Expanding our runway here in Evansville is vital for travel safety, is essential for the local economy, and helps to ensure the airport is equipped to meet future demands. Increasing the number of passengers and products we have efficiently transported in and out of the area will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the local economy and community.”

According to airport authorities, the grant will allow the project to be completed a year early.

“We look forward to receiving this additional grant for the Runway Safety Area Project here at Evansville Regional Airport,” said Doug Joest, Airport Manager. “We greatly appreciate Congressman Bucshon’s efforts in keeping this project on track, especially given the challenging budget environment.  This latest grant will enable us to finish the project more than a year before the deadline of December 31, 2015.”

Magpie (pictured) – Magpie is a bashful, but sweet 4-year-old black Lab/retriever mix. She was unwanted by her previous owners, and since she never received much attention, she’s a little shy with strange people and situations. Once she warms up to you, she is gentle and loving! Magpie walks very nicely on a leash, too! She’s a little skittish when it comes to roughhousing and playing, though, so a home without rambunctious young children would be best for her. Her adoption fee is $100, which includes her spay surgery, vaccinations, microchip, and a bag of food.

A new webpage on the EVSC Office of Transportation website will be dedicated to informing families of road construction projects, and the effect on bus routes in the EVSC, said Director of Transportation Michael Mentzel. Families can see the new site by going to www.evscschools.com/bus.

Transporting more than 15,000 students twice each day is no casual feat – and when road construction or other obstacles present themselves, the EVSC turns to its routing coordinators and computer software, Versatrans, to come up with the best solution to get students to and from school safely and on time. “It is not as simple as just deciding to take a different route,” Mentzel said. “We have to often break up a route into multiple parts due to the closures, find alternate ways to get to destinations – sometimes even changing where the bus stops will be – and notify families and students’ teachers at their schools, so that students know where to be to get on and off the bus.”

Director of Transportation Mike Mentzel said the year-long road widening project that began in June and is taking place on Oak Hill Road from Pigeon Creek to Lynch Road, affects thousands of residents, including families whose children attend Vogel Elementary, North Junior High and North High School.  Contractor Ragle, Inc., has announced a section of the road that will be opened for local traffic, and a new section that will be closed beginning Sept. 23.

According to Jason Ragle, manager of the Oak Hill Project, the timeline for the rest of September and October includes:

• Sept. 16-18: Paving of two lanes from Max Road to Lake Drive.  Buses will be allowed through.
• Sept. 19 after 9 a.m.: Lake Drive will open
• Sept. 23: Capitol Boulevard will be closed for several weeks. Capitol to Ridgetop Drive will be completely closed because there will be a large hole in the road.  Riders of Bus N87 will be divided, with some students traveling on Bus 201 and the rest on N87 – until this phase of the road project is completed.

EVSC Asst. Routing Coordinator Teresa Keeton, said that changes in bus routes will begin with the afternoon route on Thursday, September 19.  The school bus will no longer be able to travel all the way up to homes on Capitol Boulevard, so the route will be split in portions – with one bus picking up students living off Oak Hill Road, south of Capitol; and another bus that will instead travel on  Hwy 41, east on Lynch Road, and then south on the portion of Oak Hill Road on the north end that is not yet closed to local traffic, to pick up students off Capitol Boulevard

As portions of the project are completed, the routes will continue to change, Keeton said.

Parents, principals, and teachers have been notified of the coming changes in route, pick up times, and buses – but for anyone with questions they can find the information and routing maps – located on the Transportation website at www.evscschools.com/bus. Anyone with children attending Vogel, North or North Junior High, who may be new to the area, or who did not receive a letter from the Office of Transportation should call 435-1BUS.