ParentInfo, June 1, 2007

Last Updated on Monday, October 06, 2008 at 6:47 PM

In this issue:

*Nonacademic Data Shows Progress

*EXPLORE and PLAN Results Released

*Virtual High School Summer Registration

*Student Computer Savings

*Summer Learning – Part I

*National Family Month
*The Great Kids Summit

Nonacademic Data Shows Progress

Kentucky is making progress when it comes to nonacademic data collected as part of the Commonwealth Accountability Testing System (CATS). In 2005-06, the attendance and graduation rates went up, and the dropout and retention rates moved down slightly.

The overall dropout rate decreased from 3.47 percent in 2005 to 3.31 percent in 2006. That translates into 152 fewer students dropping out of high school. For the first time, the retention rate, the number of students held back a grade, fell below three percent.

The attendance rate increased to 94.60%. The graduation rate also was up, to 83.26%. As required by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) the graduation rate represents only the number of students graduating within four years or who have Individual Education Plans (IEP) that allow more than four years to graduate.

There was mixed news when it came to successful transition to adult life data. Although the rate decreased slightly from 2005 to 2006, the percentage of public high school graduates who went on to college increased by nearly one percent.

You can find complete details on district and school nonacademic data by visiting the Kentucky Department of Education’s Web site and clicking on the Testing and Reporting link.

EXPLORE and PLAN Results Released

The results are in for two new national norm-referenced assessments given statewide for the first time last fall. Overall school scores are mid-range or higher.

EXPLORE is a high school readiness exam designed to help 8^th graders explore a broad range of options for their future. The exam assesses four subjects (English, mathematics, reading and science) and provides needs assessments and other components to help students plan for high school and beyond. On a scale of 1 to 25, Kentucky students tied the national average score for reading at 13.8. They fell slightly below the national average scores in other areas. EXPLORE organizes the important information you need to consider in helping your student develop educational plans to meet his or her goals. You can go online for more ways to use the EXPLORE Student Score Report.

PLAN helps 10^th grade students build a solid foundation for future academic and career success and provides information needed to address school districts’ high-priority issues. This exam also assesses four subjects (English, mathematics, reading and science) and is a predictor of success on the ACT college entrance exam. On a scoring scale of 1 to 32, Kentucky 10^th graders scored from a low of 15.6 in English to a high of 17.4 in science, slightly below national average scores. More ways to use the PLAN Student Score Report are available online.

See complete details on EXPLORE and PLAN data by visiting the Kentucky Department of Education’s Web site and clicking on the Testing and Reporting link.

Kentucky Virtual High School Summer Registration

As the Kentucky Virtual High School (KVHS) migrates courses to the new Blackboard learning management system, a reduced summer course catalog is being offered. The most-requested credit recovery courses are still available. Summer registration closes on June 8. KVHS course listings and details about summer registration are available online.

Student Computer Savings

Kentucky public school students have the opportunity to purchase computer software and hardware at a discount through two new programs.

Students can purchase certain Microsoft software through the Student Select Program and computers through the Instructional Device Upgrade (IDU) project. Both programs also are available to P-12 education faculties and staff.

Microsoft Student Select Pricing is available online. Student Select purchases also can be placed online. Authentication of eligibility is required. Additional information on the Student Select program is available on the KDE Web site.

Students also may purchase computers, including desktop, laptop and tablet models from Dell, HP, and Lenovo, at IDU-negotiated pricing. Prices are as much as 50 percent below retail pricing for equivalent models. Apple hardware is not included in the student offer. Vendor-specific order instructions are included at the top of the IDU order forms located on the Kentucky Department of Education’s Web site.

Summer Learning – Part I

School may be out, or almost out, for the summer but that doesn’t mean learning needs to stop. Parent involvement during the summer months is crucial to student success. According to the National Education Association, “Parents who are actively involved in their children’s learning at home help their children become more successful learners in and out of school.” Here are some ideas from Scholastic’s “Instructor Magazine.”

Set aside time each day to read. Track the books your child reads and reward him or her with a special activity or treat when he or she reaches certain milestones (for example, every 10th book). Do art projects based on favorite titles, such as drawing a favorite scene or making paper bag puppets.
Visit your local library. Many libraries have wonderful summer reading programs that reward children for the number of books they read.
Make every day educational. Children learn problem-solving, math, science and vocabulary as they help with groceries, laundry and cooking.
Create a summer scrapbook. Save postcards and movie tickets and record family stories or interesting events from each day, whether you’re going on vacation or just going to your neighborhood park.

Roadworthy car games

For kids on the bus or families on vacation, put those long rides to good use with activities that keep the kids busy and build reading and math skills.

For grades K–3:

Car bingo: Create a car bingo card with words, shapes, colors and items that children will likely see during a trip (stop signs, billboards, railroad signs, etc.) to reinforce reading skills, math and sight words.
The number game: Look out the window and call out when you see one, two, three or four of something, and so on.
The alphabet game: One person chooses the right side of the road, and the other chooses the left. Call out objects that you see in alphabetical order (you can use a sign only for one letter). The first person to get to the letter z wins.
For grades 4–8: Capital game: Take note of each license plate you see, not by state but by state capital. The first to correctly identify 10 state capitals wins.
Cow game: One person takes the right side of the road the other takes the left. Keep count of all the cows you see. You earn one point for each cow. When you see a cemetery out of your side of the car, you lose all your points.
Animals galore: Decide on a number of points for each animal that you see (cow = 1 point, horse = 1 point, pig = 2 points, etc.). As you drive, add up the points. Play until one person gets 10 points or for a set time.
Math with license plates: Use the numbers on license plates to practice addition, subtraction, multiplication and number patterns and see just how creative kids can get!

More ideas on summer learning are coming your way in the next edition of ParentInfo.

National Family Month

We’re right in the middle of National Family Month, which is celebrated from Mother’s Day through Father’s Day. So, this is a good time to reflect on your family and how to make it stronger. Here are some ideas for building a strong family:

Build trust – Be sure to follow through on promises
Show commitment - Make time for family events and make sacrifices for one another
Communicate - Talk about important decisions as well as daily plans. Discuss feelings and when there are conflicts, take time to cool down before responding.
Grow through crises – All families experience crises. Strong families use these experiences to learn and grow. They admit problems instead of hiding them and seek help when needed.
Spend time together – Strong families spend time together, talking, reading, playing games, taking walks and cooking.
Have fun as a family – Make plans to have fun together by planning family trips or parties. Use humor to help reduce stress.
Show love and affection - Strong families show caring in many ways. No matter what children say or do, they need to know their parents love them.

The Great Kids Summit

The Great Kids Summit is coming up the end of June. More than 500 of Kentucky’s youth (ages 13-24) will be joining educators, health professionals and community groups for an inspiring conference designed to bring youth and adults together to build success and create positive change in Kentucky. The event will be held at the Galt House East in Louisville and is sponsored by Kentucky Child Now!

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