In This Issue

thewooster high schoolwooster student newspaper 515 oldman road, wooster, oh.blade sept. 6, 2013 volume xiv issue 1 in this issue SAT ACT e? mp ow d es WCS co ar AP PSAT Joseph Gorman a bit bare: letter grades was last with a PI of 93.5. POLITICO released a “In my opinion, it will co-editor-in-chief will not be assigned until The new report cards create report on Aug. 21, which never happen... I am not WKH IRUPXODV DUH ÀQDOL]HG new goals, particularly in found that the nationwide convinced that there is a The Ohio Department for the 2015 report cards. elementary literacy and pass rate for AP exams way, statistically, to truly of Education debuted The Performance Index ÀIWK\HDUJUDGXDWLRQUDWHV dropped from 61 percent in draw those numbers and a new way of (PI) is the one element “Every child that does not 2002 to 57 percent in 2012. be equitable across the visualizing scholastic that was not changed pass the third grade reading Furthermore, the number state of Ohio,” Tefs said. achievement this year. from previous report test has to be retained by of exams earning a 1, the The weighting of The redesigned district cards, Tefs said. Wooster’s law,” Tefs said. Wooster worst possible score, more Achievement and report cards provide PI has increased from elementary schools now than doubled over the same Progress metrics is itself publicly accessible data 98.1 (of a possible 120) in track literacy levels by time period, going from a challenge, Tefs said. about every school in Ohio. 2008-9 to 102.1 in 2012-13. grade, to help predict 14 percent to 22 percent. Achievement measures Dr. Michael Tefs, Tefs said comparing WKH HͿHFWV RI WKDW ODZ Tefs said that allowing how well students do on Arts Jazz Wooster City Schools Wooster to the state average The new report cards now students the opportunity the OGT, while Progress Superintendent, said the sets the bar for achievement evaluate districts based on to take the most advanced measures how much updated report cards are too low, due to varying the rate of students who classes, even if they do students learn in a year. festival a step toward making student populations JUDGXDWH LQ ÀYH \HDUV not score as well in them, Tefs believes that Progress the data more accessible and backgrounds. An While Wooster has always promotes student growth. should matter more in a returns and understandable alternative way to chart helped its students get Bryan Ehrlinspiel, Social district’s rating, saying, to the public. a district’s growth, GEDs, Tefs said this change Studies Dept. chair, believes “If you focus solely on arts, pg. 7 The centerpiece of the which Tefs prefers, is by will cause Wooster to ramp that AP classes are a crucial achievement, I guarantee new report cards is a set of comparing it to a list of XS LWV HͿRUWV WR JHW ÀIWK part of district curriculum your report card is going to letter grades that indicate 19 other, similar districts year seniors to graduate. because they promote measure a ZIP code before how well a school district that the Ohio Dept. The new formula will critical thinking skills. it’s going to measure performs at six factors, of Education releases. factor the number of AP Ehrlinspiel said that No pedagogical practice.” which the report cards call “In 2009, we were FODVVHV D GLVWULFW RͿHUV Child Left Behind, the Tefs noted that there Achievement, Progress, ÀIWHHQWK LQ RXU VLPLODU into its “Prepared for federal education policy is a strong correlation Gap Closing, Graduation districts, and now we’re Success” metric. WHS passed in 2001, made between poverty levels Rate, K-3 Literacy and fourth. We’re happy with RͿHUV $3 FRXUVHV D classes less rigorous, and Achievement metrics Prepared for Success. that,” Tefs said, comparing number that has grown while AP classes can in districts: the higher the These grades are combined Wooster’s PI score to over the last few years. ÀOO WKDW ULJRU JDS poverty level, the lower to form an overall those of similar districts. The explosive growth Combining all these the Achievement level. grade for the district. Boardman Local led the list of AP courses has been criteria to provide a district The new Report However, this year’s of similar districts with a PI mirrored nationwide, a single letter grade will Cards are scheduled batch of report cards looks of 103.4, and Fairborn City and not without criticism. be a delicate process. to be complete in 2015. Flex electives come to WHS Vicki Anderson Associate Principal said. According to Keener, co-editor-in-chief “The original thought there are about 90 students was to give time for enrolled in the three AP COW The process of integrating students to take the AP sciences classes and about Advanced Placement science curriculum, get half of them are facing goes science courses to the the lab time that they so the challenge of sharing WHS curriculum has desperately need and, at a period between an AP green proved challenging in the same time, be able to class and an elective. terms of scheduling. continue the rest of their Family and Consumer focus, pg. 3 Course requirements set studies,” Keener said. Sciences Dept. member, by the College Board for But, things have not Marlene Boyer, has several all the AP science classes gone exactly as planned. students that are pulled JESSE WILES (biology, chemistry and Initially, AP science out of her Foods for Today Maruna teaches a class of second grade environmental science) classes were to be placed class for AP science classes. students at Melrose Elementary School. WKDWDUHQRZEHLQJRͿHUHG against a study hall period, ´,W UHDOO\ DͿHFWV WKH at WHS assert that double or a class that allowed for student. They miss out periods twice a week are students to make up class on important learning Maruna awarded required for students time with online work. opportunities and they to be successful and However, due to miss out on the fun parts prepared for the year- VFKHGXOLQJFRQÁLFWVPDQ\ too, “ Boyer said of the Teacher of Year end AP examinations. AP science courses were students missing her class. Along with the College placed against electives that So far, the science teachers doesn’t forget about them Paige Clayton Board, Science Dept., rely largely on class time and elective course trends editor once they leave second member and teachers have been grade. Maruna continues AP biology working together As per tradition, the to follow her students as teacher, Troy WR ÀQG VROXWLRQV Ralph R. and Grace B. they advance and makes Worth, also that work in the Jones foundation has once it a priority to attend emphasizes best interest of again awarded a unique plays, games, or any event the importance the students. and creative teacher to support her former of lab time “This is not a with the Outstanding students,” Early said. because it perfect system, Teacher award. Early also mentioned allows the and we are in This year, the recipient that Maruna’s dedication students the process of the prestigious award to the profession of to have the to adjust the Meet the was Marilyn Maruna, teaching is inspiring to time to fully problems we are a second grade teacher educators to go above and understand experiencing. Our sports at Melrose Elementary. beyond the classroom. the material. goal is to provide In response to receiving Lauren Taylor, a In order to students with as captains the award, Maruna sophomore at WHS and meet these many enriching was quick to express JOSEPH GORMAN a niece of Maruna, says requirements experiences sports, pg. 5 her love of teaching. her aunt is always smiling set by the Troy Worth conducts an AP Biology lab as possible,” “My favorite part of and is great to be around. College Board, behind the school during a fl ex period. Worth said. teaching is watching 2QH VSHFLÀF LQVWDQFH RI students Keener notes children take an active LQÁXHQFH LQ /DXUHQ·V OLIH taking these science courses instruction, such as acting, that changes regarding role in their learning included Maruna as her are required to use a study family and consumer AP classes will continue and demonstrate it to FRQÀUPDWLRQ VSRQVRU hall period or elective sciences classes and to be made throughout others,” Maruna said. an important religious class period twice a week Newspaper Production I, the year, and in the Maruna also mentioned event celebrated in many as lab time, Tyler Keener, II and III, among others. upcoming school years. she loves to see students Christian churches. take the lead and teach other “When I had the chance students, even material to choose a sponsor, I knew Declaration Crossfi t o! ers they have just learned. she was the perfect person Maruna described her to guide me through FDUHHU DV ÍXOÀOOLQJµ the year long process. I Kaylee Early, the partner couldn’t ask for a better new workout possibilities second grade teacher woman to be a part of Han Mahle to build a program out with lifting and skills to Maruna at Melrose my life and for me to call business manager that will best prepare and our workout of the Elementary describes my aunt,” Taylor said. trainees for any physical day. Getting stronger, Maruna as passionate. Upon Maruna’s reception JP Lytle, All-Ohio Wooster contingency,” according all within an hour. It “My favorite characteristic of the Outstanding Teacher High School soccer WR &URVVÀW ,QF WKH gets people in and out.” of Maruna is that she is Award, Dr.

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