Delphi ISTEP scores improve
By Kevin Schnepp Staff writer

Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) results were up this testing round.

Recently released ISTEP+ results revealed approximately 72 percent of Indiana students in grades three to 10 passed state exams in English/language arts and mathematics in 2007, an increase from 2006. This continues a trend of steady, incremental progress over the past decade.

Compared to one year ago, the state showed one percent gains in English/language arts, math and science. Most significant progress occurred in grades seven through nine, which improved by two to three percentage points on average.

English/language arts pass rates improved in six of the eight grades tested while math pass rates improved or held steady at seven of the eight grades tested. Of the two grade levels tested in science, one improved by three percentage points while the other fell by one percentage point. Over the last decade, the state saw a 10 point gain in the percentage of students passing both the English/ language arts and math sections of ISTEP+.

"It is encouraging to see scores moving in the right direction for the state as a whole," Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed.

Delphi Community schools

Delphi Community Elementary School students' average pass rate rose approximately half a percent over last year according to the Indiana Department of Education Web site. Average scores for English and language arts were down from the prior year, when Camden and Delphi were both K-5 facilities.

Despite lower average scores since elementary schools were re-aligned, principal Bill Shidler said he was excited about district-wide initiatives under way to help all children achieve maximum growth educationally.

"The recent fall ISTEP+ scores validate many of these initiatives but also tell us we have more work to do," Shidler said. "Since the two elementary schools were realigned to begin this school year, the data is a starting point for a new school. However, we feel very good about our numbers but look forward to developing strategies to assist those students who didn't pass."

Delphi Community Middle School Principal Robert De La Rosa said junior high students continued to show improvement in ISTEP+ scores. Overall scores there increased nearly three percent over last year's average.

"I am proud of the efforts by staff and students on performing so well this year," De La Rosa said. "We attribute that to changes we made in the way approached the test. We will continue to work as school and a corporation to raise scores and help those students who need our assistance to meeting the standards on the test. Our goal is to be among the best in the area and the state."

Efforts to contact high school principal Barry Stone were unsuccessful. The high school's overall average increased just under one percent.

Detailed ISTEP+ information including performance data for each corporation and school is available for download online at www.doe.state.in.us/istep.