NEWS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT   ~  March 8, 2013

Last week I discussed the changes on the new state report card that will take effect in 2014.  The way which our students will be assessed is changing and students across Ohio will no longer take a paper and pencil assessment. Beginning 2014-2015, the state assessments will be taken online.

New Assessments

Ohio is among 22 states that are working as a consortium, called Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC), to develop a common set of K-12 assessments in English and Math.  Ohio, on its own, will develop assessment for science and social studies and on-line administration to complement the computer-based PARCC assessments.

The on-line assessments will measure if a student is ready for college and what careers may apply to them. The new testing will be ready for states to administer during the 2014-2015 school year. These assessments will replace the current means of assessment but will continue to measure the student’s performance, student growth and assess the full range of Common Core Standards implemented by the Ohio Department of Education. Additionally, they will provide data during the academic year that will be used to drive academic instruction.

Our teaching staff will continue to receive professional development on the PARCC assessments. We will keep you informed of these and other changes as it pertain to these assessments, or you may visit the Ohio Department of Education website at www.ode.state.oh.us.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (330) 534-1921 x 1003.

Richard J. Buchenic  

Superintendent

NEWS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – MARCH 1, 2013

As we continue to see change taking place, many academic challenges are ahead due to new state legislation. The most notable change will be the look of the state report card for the 2013-2014 school year. School districts and individual buildings will no longer be rated based on the old criteria.

Under the new system:

Overall Grade – A letter grade will replace the current rating system of rating (Excellent with Distinction, Excellent, Effective, Continuous Improvement, Academic Watch and Academic Emergency). It is computed from the four component grades such that each of the components is counted equal weight. They are as follows:

Percent Indicators Met – This component is one measure of school performance. The grade shown is based on a 100% scale which measures how well the school or district met the 26 state indicators of student performance on tests, attendance, and graduation.

Performance Index – This component measures student performance. It averages student scores on a 120 point scale using state assessment, assigns a grade to each building and also for the district based on a standard 90%=A, 80%=B scale.

Value-Added – This component grades schools based on the level of improvement by its students on state assessments. It is a measure of the effect of school on its student’s learning regardless of the level of attainment of those students. Since the measure only looks at progress grades 4 through 8, schools that do not test those grades do not get a Value-Added Grade. In this case, the high school would be exempt from this component.

Gap Closing – This component is a new measure that the Ohio Department of Education has proposed to replace the current use of the federal AYP (Annual Yearly Progress) measure. Gap closing gives a grade based on how well a school or district is doing in narrowing gaps in achievement among students according to socio-economical, racial, ethnic or disability status.

Thanks to the efforts of our teachers, board of education, parents and most importantly our students, the Hubbard Exempted Village School District has received an Excellent rating for the last five consecutive years. Under the new system that would be an “A”.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at (330) 534-1921 x 1003

Richard J. Buchenic, Superintendent

SUPERINTENDENT’S MESSAGE

February 1, 2013

The Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness offers some important information with regards to winter weather preparedness for schools.

During unusual weather conditions children can be especially susceptible to the dangers associated with winter weather. Often their youthful enthusiasm can take over when common sense and safety should prevail.

Parents are reminded to stay informed of winter weather conditions and school closings, and should review the following safety tips with their son or daughter who walk to school, drive to school or ride the school bus:

• Dress appropriately for cold weather – sweaters,      pants, winter coats, hats, scarves, socks, and boots. It is a good idea to layer clothing.

• Allow extra travel time to get to the bus stop or school. Drive carefully and become aware of road conditions.

• If riding the school bus, stand at least 10 steps away (or back) from bus stops.  Buses need extra room to stop where there is snow or ice.

• Do not walk or play on snow mounds or ice within 10 feet of the roadway; you could fall and slip into the roadway and be at risk of being struck by a vehicle.

• Do not cross the street at your bus stop until all traffic has come to a complete stop and the bus driver HAS SIGNALED that it is safe to cross.

• Children should know where to go if a parent will not be home, and how to contact a parent or guardian. Contact information, including work and cell phone numbers should be kept up-dated with your school.

• Parents practice safe driving with your son or daughter; especially during the winter months.

• Remember the decision to close or delay school is difficult and the safety of everyone will always be the deciding factor if we delay or close buildings.

If you have any questions or concerns do not hesitate to call me at 330-534-1921x 1003.

Richard J. Buchenic

Superintendent

NEWS FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT ~ January 18, 2013

Richard J. Buchenic, Superintendent

School board members exemplify local citizen control and decision-making in education. They volunteer hundreds of hours and an immeasurable amount of energy to assure that our schools are providing the best education possible for the children of our community. Here are some reasons we are taking this opportunity to show them our appreciation during School Board Recognition Month in January.

School board members are citizens whose decisions affect our children - what they learn, who will teach them and what kinds of facilities house their classrooms. These are men and women elected to establish the policies that provide the framework for our public schools. They represent you, and they take this responsibility seriously by attending lengthy - sometimes challenging - meetings, conferences and institutes where they broaden their knowledge about education; during numerous conversations about the schools; and sessions before the Ohio General Assembly.

Our school board is one of 719 such boards across the state. These boards enable us to have local control of public schools, meaning that decisions on school programming are made by local, elected representatives who understand the community's unique problems, values, culture and circumstances.

It's a tradition that began nearly 300 years ago. With the advice and counsel of the educational professionals they hire, our school board has an impact on virtually every aspect of our schools. It's a huge responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly. Too often we neglect to recognize the dedication and hard work of these men and women who represent us. The staff and students of our school district are asking all local citizens to take a moment to tell a school board member "thanks for caring about our children's education.”

So, hats off to the dedicated men and women who make it possible for local citizens to have a say about education in our communities. We salute the public servants of Hubbard Exempted Village School District whose dedication and civic responsibility make local control of public schools in our community possible. We applaud them for their vision and voice to help shape a better tomorrow.