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CLEAR Temp: 48 °F Wind: SSW at 5 mph Wednesday, February 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 31, 2003 Abraham Lincoln Elementary School second-graders Julia Ribeiro, left, and Rene Coffman share a full-sized rocking chair while reading in Lina Taylor�s combined second- and third- grade class. Their school earned an overall "exceptional" from the state. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Exceptional times five State’s annual report card gives Jackson County schools some good grades By JILL BRISKEY Mail Tribune Parent volunteer Valerie Wilkerson admits it’s a daily battle to shelve all the library books at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School. But the Medford resident said she’s happy to help — especially after learning on Thursday that reading skills of the school’s students led to an exceptional ranking for the school on the state’s report cards. "My daughter, she’s a voracious reader, and that’s why I volunteer in the library," Wilkerson said. "I think it’s just wonderful about the school." The Oregon Department of Education on Thursday released the fourth annual report cards for Oregon’s 1,082 public schools. Jackson County elementary schools nabbed five of the highest available overall rankings — one more than last year. Ninety-one schools in the state received the "exceptional" mark. "There are very few districts that even earn four (exceptional rankings)," said ODE communications director Gene Evans. "It’s wonderful to see so many in one place." The 2003 report cards showed most local schools either improved in performance or maintained their status. Last time, three local schools — Lincoln Elementary in Ashland, White City Elementary and Prospect (K-12 school) — declined on the report cards. "It’s really about recognizing where kids are and tracking that," said Medford curriculum director Phil Long. "This is an excellent report card for Medford." Four Medford elementary schools besides Abraham Lincoln received the top honor: Hoover, Jacksonville and Lone Pine elementary schools, as did Mae Richardson Elementary School in Central Point. "There’s a lot of teamwork involved, with teachers, teacher’s aides, parents," said Richardson elementary Principal Kathy Tompkins. "We’re very happy and very proud." "We’ve trained them how to read well, and that’s what’s making the difference," added Abraham Lincoln Principal Bob Hartwig. The 2003 report cards are based on the 2001-02 year and include assessment test scores, attendance, state testing participation and improvements made since the ranking began in 1999. Each school receives one of five overall ratings: exceptional, strong, satisfactory, low or unacceptable. Of Jackson County’s 53 schools rated this year, five schools’ overall ratings were exceptional, 20 rated strong and 28 earned satisfactory marks. In 2000-2001, four were exceptional, 24 were rated strong and 25 were satisfactory. Jacksonville Elementary School took home an exceptional score for the fourth consecutive year. Evans said only 29 schools in the state have held on to the top rank four years running. "For a school to keep that ranking for that long is exceptional," Evans said. Principal Robert Goerke credits the district’s "constant and well-articulated" curriculum. "My teachers all jumped on it, and that’s why we’ve done so consistently well," he added. Lone Pine Elementary School earned exceptional ratings across the board, maintaining last year’s performance. "I don’t think there’s one contributing factor," said Lone Pine Principal Richard Miles. "We have a high volunteer rate, a great group of kids and a wonderful staff. That all sends a strong message to kids." For elementary schools to get the overall exceptional rating, Evans said at least 88 percent of students must exceed the state’s reading standards, 84 percent must exceed state math standards and school attendance must be at 95 percent. Evans noted that the state raised the bar this year. "It was time to pick up the stakes a little," he said. "We found the standard had been set low enough that it was relatively easy to get a satisfactory mark." The 2003 report cards showed a drop at Washington Elementary School, from exceptional to strong. Rogue River Elementary, Hedrick Middle, Scenic Middle and Rogue River Elementary dipped from a strong to a satisfactory rate. Improvements were made at Jewett Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Hanby Middle School, with jumps from satisfactory to strong. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S