The results are in for the state’s standardized tests, and the Collier County School District has plenty to smile about.
Students in the district largely outperformed the state in most subject areas and grade levels, according to a memo sent late Friday from district superintendent Kamela Patton.
“We are encouraged by the achieved gains and how they translate into potential for success in rigorous courses,” Patton wrote in the memo.
Districtwide, the percentage of students who scored at Level 3 or higher on the Florida State Assessment was greater than the state average in all but third and fifth grade in reading and all but third grade in math. In subject area tests, only fifth grade science saw a lower pass rate than the state average.
In most schools and grade levels, students either maintained or improved upon passing rates from last year – the first year for the new testing regime. In the memo, Patton highlighted North Naples and Manatee Middle Schools for staying level or increasing in all levels on the English Language Arts tests, and Naples and Palmetto Ridge seeing 10 and 6.0 percent jumps in Biology, among others.
BOARD, SUPERINTENDENT EVALUATIONS ON THE AGENDA
Among the topics on display in Tuesday’s upcoming school board meeting will include the evaluation, and possible contract of Patton.
Patton is currently under contract through 2018, but has received contract extensions in 2012 and 2014, and a document is prepared to extend the district’s top administrator further should it come up in discussion.
That’s not a guarantee, however.
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PENTA BRINGING IN THE DOUGH
Candidate for School Board Louise Penta is bringing in the campaign cash in a huge way.
When May’s campaign finance numbers were released, it showed that Penta has raised nearly $56,000 in funds, that’s more than her two primary opponents, John Brunner and Stephanie Lucarelli, combined.
Penta believes the response is coming from what she calls her “common sense” platform. She supports the removal of Common Core standards, and wants to do an audit of the district’s near-billion dollar budget.
“The fact that there is $600 million going toward administrative costs and only $400 million to our teachers and kids, is a clear indication that there is a problem,” Penta said. “Why are our teachers asked to trim their classroom budgets but not administration? It’s common sense.”
Penta brought in $17,100 in contributions in May, while Lucarelli brought in just over $10,000. Current board member Erika Donalds ran the most expensive campaign in recent memory when she raised and spent over $80,000 in her successful bid for her seat in District 3.
A candidate forum is scheduled for Wednesday evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Orange Blossom Library, hosted by the Coalition for Quality Public Education and moderated by Dave Elliott of Naples Herald’s media partner, 98.9 WGUF.
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