STATEHOUSE—Three area elementary schools represented by State Reps. Sue Ellspermann (R-Ferdinand), Steve Davisson (R-Salem), and Mark Messmer (R-Jasper) were recognized today by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). Ferdinand Elementary, Pine Ridge Elementary, and Huntingburg Elementary have achieved some of the highest growth in student performance on the ISTEP exam in the state. The IDOE’s growth model measures student growth in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. Students across Indiana who receive the same scores on the ISTEP English/Language Arts and Mathematics portions are grouped together. The same group of students is evaluated at the next ISTEP exam and growth is determined by comparing each student’s advancement with the group. The IDOE then determines growth to be low, typical, or high. “The students, teachers, and parents should be proud of the achievements of Ferdinand, Pine Ridge, and Huntingburg Elementary Schools,” said Rep. Ellspermann. “The acceleration of learning demonstrated is truly impressive and among the highest in the state. Most importantly, I think this demonstrates the commitment of our public schools to do all they can to ensure our children have the best possible educational opportunity. We thank them for this unwavering commitment to excellence.” “The success of Ferdinand, Pine Ridge, and Huntingburg goes beyond simple test scores,” said Rep. Messmer. “The growth model shows a student’s real progress in absorbing knowledge. The students in these schools are clearly learning at an accelerated rate, giving them an advantage for the rest of their academic career. The rest of Indiana looks to these schools as an example of what can be accomplished with a proactive approach.” “This is a remarkable accomplishment for these three schools,” said. Rep. Davisson. “The results exemplified by Ferdinand, Pine Ridge, and Huntingburg Elementary Schools will be used across the state as a benchmark for learning, and it bodes well for the students, teachers and parents in our districts. This achievement proves that our public schools are working hard each and every day to create a learning environment that is conducive to student success, and I look forward to their continued progress.” Ferdinand Elementary students ranked first in the state on the Math portion, with 93.75 percent of students achieving high growth, and tenth in English/Language Arts, with 59.38 percent at high growth. At Huntingburg Elementary, 73.96 percent of students achieved high growth on the Math portion, ranking fourth in the state. Pine Ridge Elementary brought 72.09 percent of their students up to high growth in Math, ranking sixth in Indiana. -30- |
