SOL English scores below benchmark at Valley Elementary School – but Math scores improve

At the Bath County School Board meeting on Tuesday night, the board heard an update on the Standards of Learning accountability reports.   Technology and Administrative Services Director Paul Lancaster presented the recently released Virginia Department of Education state accreditation and federal accountability results.   The data comes from the Standards of Learning test results in English, Math, History and Science from the recently completed school year.  

Valley Elementary School was accredited with warning, due to English scores that did not meet the benchmark of 75%.   Valley Elementary’s score was 69%.   Since Valley Elementary did not meet all Federal Annual Measurable Objectives, an improvement plan is required for English.   School Superintendent Sue Hirsh said staff knows what they need to do to make the improvements.  She said the academic review they went through for Math at Valley Elementary last year will be conducted again, but this time for English.   

But there is improvement in Math scores at Valley.  Last year Valley was accredited with warning in Math, due to not meeting the benchmark.  But this year Valley Elementary met the 70% benchmark in Math, with a score of 70%.   Lancaster acknowledged all the hard work at Valley Elementary in order to meet the benchmark this year.  He said there was a twelve percent gain in students who passed the test in Math. 

Both Millboro Elementary School and Bath County High School are fully accredited, exceeding the benchmark scores in all categories.    

Also at the meeting there was an update on school maintenance and capital improvement plan projects underway in the schools.  New security systems have been installed at Millboro and Valley Elementary Schools and work is underway on improvements to the playground surfaces.   At the high school, the gym floor is scheduled to be refinished on August 25.  And new high school lockers are on order with hopes to have them installed and ready for use when school opens.

And the board acknowledged the appointment of  Dale Etzel as Valley Elementary’s Guidance Counselor.  Karen Gaduyon, Selina Weaver and Bryan Tuning as Valley Elementary teachers  and Rebecca Derharoutian as a high school special education teacher.        The board also accepted the resignation of flag corps sponsor Alexis Slater and appointed Monja Robertson to be the sponsor.  And the board approved substitute personnel appointments, non-resident students and a request for a student religious exemption.   

Bath County Schools will open on Tuesday, August 19^th.