The South Callaway R-II School District started parent advisory meetings at each of its schools this year. The first meetings were this past month. The meetings will each have a focus or theme and will give parents the opportunity to ask questions about the schools.
Superintendent Kevin Hillman said the district started the meetings this year as a way to get more information out to the public and to have a forum to hear what are on parents' minds.
"We felt that communication was not where we wanted it to be," Hillman said.
The parent advisory meetings, Hillman said, will help the district improve its communication. The district will also utilize Facebook to get information out to the public. The school's announced their next meeting times at the school board's Sept. 10 meeting.
The elementary school will have its next parent advisory meeting Oct. 9. The topic will be iPad 101. The middle school will have its next meeting Sept. 15 and will focus on technology in the classroom. The high school's next parent advisory meeting will be Sept. 17 and will also focus on technology as well as a new ACT prep program.
Hillman said he hopes the parent advisory meetings are a good source of feedback for the district on what its schools are doing.
ACT scores up from prior year
From the 2012-13 school year to the 2013-14 school year, South Callaway High School's graduating class's ACT scores increased in each of the four subjects measured on the test. The 2014 graduating class's composite ACT score was 20.8 - up 1.5 points from the previous year. More South Callaway High School graduates took the ACT in 2014 - 53 over 38 graduates who took it in 2013.
Hillman said an increase in the score and the number of students taking the test is a good sign. Missouri will soon require all juniors to take the ACT, but it has not been required in the past.
While the 2014 graduating class's composite ACT score was up 1.5 points from the 2013 graduating class, the score is still less than both the state and national average composit score. The National average for 2014 seniors was 21 and the state average was 21.8.
Lindsey Even, a South Callaway High School guidance counselor, stressed the importance of introducing students to the ACT test and resources to prepare.
"Exposure is the key thing and we are working on that," Even told the board at its September meeting.
In the next few weeks, the high school will come out with an ACT prep program. South Callaway High School Principal Heather Helsel said she is excited to see what impact the program has on students and their ACT scores.
District to publish letter on Amendment 3 facts
Hillman also updated the school board on Amendment 3, a teacher-evaluation proposal on the November ballot. A Rex Sinquefield-backed group had been campaigning for Amendment 3. However, Hillman said the group recently dropped their campaign. But, the amendment remains on the November ballot.
"I'm a strong believer that it (Amendment 3), as written, is bad for schools," Hillman said.
While he disagrees with the amendment, Hillman said it is important to inform voters in the district about the ballot language of the teacher-evaluation proposal. The South Callaway R-II School District will post a letter, written by Hillman, on its website with facts about Amendment 3 in the next few weeks.
Megan Favignano can be reached at (573) 826-2417 or [email protected].