DHS ranks 22nd in State for ACT scores

I applaud the effort of the teachers and students,” said Principal Bill Clouse. “I believe we’re doing something right here in Durand and we are on the right track.”

 

Durand High School ranked 22nd in the state out of a total 461 public and charter schools on ACT scores, with an average 24.2 compared to the state average of 22.2.

“I applaud the effort of the teachers and students,” said Principal Bill Clouse. “I believe we’re doing something right here in Durand and we are on the right track.”

Clouse said the ranking put DHS in the 95th percentile statewide.

According to the Leader Telegram’s report, DHS tied Eau Claire Memorial for the highest score in the area.

Clouse said 45 percent of students tested in 2013, while 57 percent tested in 2014. Last year’s average was 22.9.

Clouse said every area of the test showed improvement, and 60 percent of DHS students scored college readiness in all four areas. In the state, that number is 34 percent.

Clouse said the improved scores can be attributed to the Value Added Policy, which increases GPA points available for more difficult courses, which gave the students more reward for taking the courses. 

“It allows for a lower grade in a more difficult course to be equal to a higher grade of a less difficult course,” he said.

Another contributing factor is curricular improvements.

“We have worked very hard over the past two to four years updating our curriculum with more rigor which has improved student preparation,” Clouse said. “We also have much greater use of differentiated instruction, which addresses various learning styles versus teaching one way and hoping everyone understands.”

Clouse also said reading in content areas has improved.

“We have worked hard to increase student understanding and reading in various subjects,” he said. “Not all content reading is the same, and we have better prepared students to extract pertinent information from a variety of text materials.”

Yet another factor is the John Baylor Test Prep.

“We implemented these test prep materials last year to provide students with an understanding of what to expect from the ACT exam,” Clouse said. “This 12-lession test prep allowed students to feel more confident and relaxed during the exam.”

Last school year, the sixth graders at Durand were a pilot group for using Chromebooks in school.

“We worked out some bugs, and had the program operating smoothly by mid-semester,” Clouse said. “This year we expanded the program to the sixth through ninth grade students.”

Clouse said there may be some bumps to work through.

“We’re excited about the Chromebooks giving students access to more information to expand their learning,” Clouse said.

Twenty-five pound backpacks have been replaced with a one-and-a-half pound Chromebook, Clouse said.

“This comes down to teaching kids the way they learn, rather than asking them to learn the way we teach,” he said. “We’re becoming facilitators of learning, rather than a sage on stage.”

Clouse said teachers are grasping that philosophy, and changing the way they teach to facilitate the needs of students.

Sub-Section: 

GMD Media

See Contact Button at top left for each office Phone Number,
200 Industrial Court Suite 100
, Wabasha, MN 55981

coloring pictures
télécharger reddit video
propletenie.ru

Sign Up For Breaking News

Stay informed on our latest news!

Manage my subscriptions

Subscribe to GMDMedia Newsletter feed
Customize This