Schools may end levels tests

Schools may end levels tests

Sept. 22, 2001

by Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

The Montezuma-Cortez School District is considering phasing out levels testing and "embracing" the state-administered test, the Colorado Student Assessment Program, administrators said at the Re-1 board meeting Tuesday night.

In the past, the district has resisted CSAPs, primarily because of the way the government uses the data to grade schools, but the test itself is superior to levels testing and could be interpreted in other ways to better serve Re-1 schools, said Assistant Superintendent George Schumpelt.

Currently, the CSAP test is administered in the spring to students in grades 3-10. Then, two weeks later, students district-wide take the levels test — a test that has a long-standing history in the district and gauges individual student growth from year to year.

Levels tests, however, are outdated, Schumpelt said, and as the CSAP test grows and develops within the state, it has the capability to cover the same ground without repetitious testing.

Board members expressed concerns that the CSAP compares one grade level to that of the previous year rather than student progress from one year to the next.

Board member Jackie Fisher said she was concerned that eliminating levels testing would take away "proof" that Re-1 students are making progress.

"It’s what I thought was our body of evidence," Fisher stated.

Manaugh Elementary Prin-cipal Rob Lee said, though, that the CSAPs are being developed in a manner that will allow longitudinal tracking of students as soon as this spring, and the two tests would be redundant.

He said limiting testing would allow for more instructional time and motivate students to perform better if they only have to face one test.

"We give them levels tests two weeks later, sort of as an afterthought," Lee said.

"I have complaints about how the state is using CSAPs, but I think it’s a good and accurate test."

Re-1 Superintendent Bill Thompson pointed out that because the CSAP is a state requirement with potential funding repercussions, the district’s curriculum has been aimed towards CSAPs rather than towards Levels.

Montezuma-Cortez High School Principal Mark Rappe said the levels tests promote limited thought processes because they are multiple choice, whereas CSAPs requires qualitative and quantitative answers.

"It’s all a higher level of thinking," Rappe said.

Cortez Middle School Principal Byron Wiehe also praised the CSAP test because it focuses the curriculum in an inclusive and challenging direction.

"It tests the whole mind of our students," Wiehe said.

Schumpelt also touted the CSAPs and said the district would not be able to find a superior test and administer it for a reasonable cost.

"The state is already doing all of that for us at no cost," he said. "We need to have a clearer focus to be successful. It’s time for us to embrace the CSAPs and succeed. We should have one master instead of two."

Also discussed at the Re-1 board meeting:

• District enrollment is down by 99 students, Thompson reported. This year’s budget was constructed with a projected decrease of 75 students. Thompson expressed concerns about finances because of low enrollment but said it would be one or two more weeks before the district had a steady enrollment count.

• Mesa Elementary Principal Brad Wayt reported that one of his teachers, Bobby Rollman, received the honor of Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year. "She’s a quiet strength," Wayt commented. Rollman was presented with a plaque, a Wal-Mart vest and a $500 check for her classroom.

• The board reviewed the summer-school accountability report. They expressed concerns about poor attendance and discussed targeting other students, not just low-performing students, for summer-school enrollment.

• The board approved moving the 2002 graduation date from the traditional weekday ceremony to a Saturday-morning ceremony to allow friends and family more travel time. Graduation is slated for May 25 at 9:30 a.m.