New Shaw High School Principal L’Kenna Whitehead provided information from the high school’s results.
“They only have certain subject areas they’re tested in,” Whitehead explained, comparing the high school level tests to the more inclusive MCT2 tests taken by 3-8 graders. “Algebra I and Biology I (tests) are focused to ninth-graders.
“U.S. history is focused to 11th-graders,” he continued. “English II is focused to 10th-graders.”
Whitehead broke down the passing percentages from Shaw High School by gender.
As he showed the differences between percentages of males and females passing the four subject area tests, he pointed out one number.
“With our young men, we only had 50 percent passing the test,” he said, pointing to the English II scores. “We want to try to increase that.”
He also explained to parents a little more about the subject area tests.
“Statistically, English is the hardest test,” Whitehead explained. “This year, we had more students pass with better scores (than last year).”
He also noted that upcoming juniors may have a more difficult time with the U.S. history test this year.
“In the spring, the U.S. history test is going to change,” Whitehead said. “It’s going to get harder.”
Administrators at Shaw High School are building plans to improve the school’s academics.
“We are going to address individual student needs,” said Whitehead. “We are trying to hold students above a 70 (grade).”
The school is implementing an academic contract system to accomplish these goals.
When students fall below a passing grade average (a 70), they are brought in for intervention.
Teachers will set up specific ways to help these struggling students with the material.
If grades still do not improve, the student and teacher will join a TST — Teacher Support Team.
The team will come up with research based methods to help the student improve, according to Whitehead.
Additionally, Whitehead is looking to increase parent-teacher communication.
“When our teachers turn in lesson plans each week they have to turn in a minimum of five parent contacts,” he said. “You will be hearing from teachers.”
As the floor was opened for citizens to ask questions, several wanted to know if Shaw High School administrators would be helping McEvans School, which received a failing rating for the 2008-2009 school year.
“Will you be doing anything to help McEvans since McEvans students come to the high school,” questioned one citizen.
Whitehead said that he would be involved at McEvans.
“I will be doing observations on the seventh and eighth grade hall,” said Whitehead. “This is our feeder school.”