THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 18, 1994 TAG: 9408180500
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Dare County school students in grades 3 through 8 scored consistently higher than their North Carolina counterparts in end-of-grade testing administered by the State Department of Public Instruction.
Students were tested in mathematics, science, reading and social studies. The examination is used as a statewide measuring stick for students.
The areas covered in the end-of-grade tests mirror the statewide curriculum. According to school officials, the tests will provide a barometer not only for how students are performing individually, but how the system as a whole is meeting its goals.
Dare County Schools Superintendent Leon Holleman was pleased with the scores, but said linking the results to improving instruction is critical.
``We have traditionally done better than the state of North Carolina average,'' Holleman said. ``What you see in these results is a nice strong progression upward. The real key is that we know how to take it to the next step.''
Assistant Superintendent Eugene Gallelli agreed, saying ``if these results don't result in some structural changes, then all of our efforts have been a waste of time.''
Dare County students scored higher than the state average in all four subjects at every grade level according to the test results. In fact, Dare County seventh-graders scored higher in math than the North Carolina average for eighth graders.
The results were announced at Tuesday night's meeting of the Dare County School Board. In other action, the board approved the system's nearly $18 million budget for the 1994-95 school year. The local funding is more than $6 million, while state and federal funds total almost $13 million for the fiscal year.
The board also approved changes in the system's travel policy. Under the changes, school personnel are limited to $6, $8 and $14 for breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively. School officials will be reimbursed at a rate of 29 cents per mile for travel and up to $42 per night for lodging, up from $34. School officials said the changes are in line with state travel guidelines.
It was announced Tuesday night that the system's financial office has been honored by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for excellence in financial reporting. by CNB