Published: May 14, 2008 01:03 pm            

No money for math, reading extra help

Stillwater High’s principal Tuesday pitched his program to help students struggling in reading and math but the Board of Education, citing a murky budget situation, balked at providing additional teachers for it.

Uwe Gordon presented his intervention program that targets students who need remedial help in two subjects. Gordon’s presentation said there are 100 ninth graders who are reading below the eighth grade level and 171 SHS students enrolled in remedial algebra.

Gordon said the district doesn’t teach reading strategies beyond fifth grade and that “35 to 40 percent of mistakes on standardized tests are reading mistakes.”

His proposal calls for the addition of one reading teacher and one math teacher who are experienced helping students with academic struggles though, Gordon acknowledged, the budget situation is problematic.

“I realize this is a difficult time to make that request, but this is the best way,” Gordon told the board.

As part of the proposal, students who need remedial help would be required to take a “shadow” class in the problem subject during the same semester so problems can be corrected within one day. The remedial class would take the place of an elective.

Gordon also told the board the program should be put in place at the junior high and the middle school to reach students before they need remedial help.

“Otherwise, (the high school is) just cleaning up the mess at the end,” he said.

There is impetus for providing help to struggling students. The federal No Child Left Behind Act punishes schools that do not meet mandated proficiency levels and, in Oklahoma, passage of end-of-instruction tests will be required for graduation beginning with the 2009-10 school year.

Board members expressed support for the proposal, particularly for providing remedial help. Craig Carter said it is a sign the school district is making a commitment.

“We are putting forth great effort,” Carter said.

No board member discussed providing the requested teachers and Mike Dicks said Gordon may be able to schedule current high school teachers more effectively to provide the remedial help.

“I think you have the staff there to do this,” Dicks told Gordon.

Gordon responded: “I will do my best.”

The proposal was an “information” item on the agenda, meaning board action was not required.

        

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