
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 29, 1994                   TAG: 9406290124
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS ON FIRST-YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Roanoke School Superintendent Wayne Harris said he accomplished much of what he had hoped to during his first year on the job but said there are still some problems in the school system.

Harris said there has been improvement in students' academic performance, conduct, scholarship earnings, scores on some standardized tests and other measures of success.

Speaking at the School Board's workshop Tuesday, Harris said the schools are in sound condition, but school administrators "still face an uphill climb" in some areas.

The superintendent said he is concerned about Roanoke's high dropout rate, flat scores on some standardized tests and the need for more funds for school programs.

Harris said the dropout rate of 7 percent in middle schools and 9 percent in high schools is unacceptable. School officials will develop programs to reconnect students to school, he said.

He said standardized test scores show a flat profile at grades four, eight and 11. He assured the board that his staff will attack the problem from all sides.

"We must stay committed to a safe learning environment," he said, alluding to the expulsion of 10 students this year who brought drugs or weapons to school.

But Harris gave the most attention to accomplishments in the past year. He reported that:

n65 percent of the city's high school graduates this year plan to attend colleges, some at the top universities in the country. Another 12 percent will attend technical schools or similar programs.

nMore than $1 million in scholarships has been awarded to this year's graduates.

nThis year's graduating class included three National Merit Scholars, 13 distinguished scholars with a grade-point average of 4.0 or higher and 134 honor scholars.

n248 high school students took "dual enrollment" classes - getting college credit for classes taken during their high school years.

n67 percent of the city's sixth-graders passed all three parts of the state's Passport Literacy Test the first time they took it.

nThe schools received more than $1 million in donations from businesses, community organizations and individuals. He said businesses have made a commitment to donate computers and other forms of technology to schools.

At the workshop, the board asked Harris to develop a marketing plan to help city residents become more familiar with schools and to help attract new businesses.

John Saunders, a new member who will take office Friday, pushed for the marketing strategy, saying city schools are much better than some people believe.

If city taxpayers knew how good city schools are, he said, they might be more willing to pay more money for them.

Saunders said there appears to be a perception that Roanoke has a bad school system, but nothing is further from the truth.

He said Roanoke's schools are among the best in the country and suggested that school administrators prepare brochures and videos to show programs, equipment and other facilities.

Harris said he agreed with Saunders' proposal and his staff will begin work on it soon.

by CNB