State-mandated ISTEP testing measures what students know and are able to do at each grade level in core academic subjects, according to the Indiana Department of Education Web site. The tests take between four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half hours depending on the grade level and are generally administered over the course of three mornings.

Teachers, administrators and most parents know it is important for elementary students to be able to do mathematics accurately and to read and understand language in order to graduate from high school. The State of Indiana decided at least 90 percent of all children in each grade level will achieve passing grades, in both math and English, by 2012 using ISTEP testing as the yardstick. For the Delphi school corporation that mandate means there is work to be done in order to achieve the goal.

The latest round of ISTEP scores for Delphi Community School Corporation students in grades three through eight were explained at Monday night's school board meeting. Although many of the English Language and math scores were either acceptable or very good, some were noted as below acceptable. Those were the scores that will produce changes in what is taught, how subjects are taught, and perhaps a review of the specific instructors who teach the subjects.

Delphi Community Schools Curriculum Director Carol Coon presented the latest findings with interpretations. She said the school corporation had to "go a long way past the state average to satisfy No Child Left Behind" requirements. She explained the highest recent ISTEP score in the school corporation was 89 percent in seventh-grade math. All other grades had to significantly take steps to improve scores to reach the stated state goal. Coon said administrators are examining all factors to determine how to remedy the situation.

Coon developed a series of graphs which followed the same grades throughout the student testing history to help board members assimilate the information. The graphs also indicated trends that would indicate upward or downward scores in different grades with the same children.

"Basically, these are the same kiddos," she said.

Coon said in a follow-up interview, administrators are developing a corporation-wide improvement plan. She said the plan would take as long as five years to reach full fruition. Coon further explained programs have been added using different instructional strategies designed to improve test scores, which ultimately will lead to a higher graduation rate.

Coon said a comprehensive literacy program was initiated in the elementary schools two years ago with full implementation last fall. She said the goal was to introduce the program into the middle school to promote higher test scores throughout.

Middle and high school principal Barry Stone explained administrators in those schools are developing curriculum alignment strategies to address learning issues. He said the schools would transition from being punishment-based to rewardsbased to achieve a more productive school environment designed to enhance test scores. He said additional mediation measures programs were also under consideration.

Coon said the school environment should be a supportive "culture" for each student.

"They have to feel like someone cares about them and they are there for a purpose," she said.

Teacher exchange program

Fulbright Exchange Teacher Beatriz Leal called teaching at Delphi a "great experience." She explained the goal of the international program, which operates in 150 countries and hosts 275,000 participants, is to promote a mutual understanding between United States citizens and other nations.

Leal said she hails from a town in Mexico which is close to Mazatlan, where she was an English teacher. She said she applied for the program, was accepted and then was assigned to DCSC as a Spanish teacher.

"I am learning a lot," she said. "I am improving my English and everybody has been very nice to me."

Other business

Superintendent Ralph Walker was granted permission to advertise for a tax anticipation warrant for up to $2 million to ensure a positive cash flow in 2009. He said he was concerned about funding variables that could result in less income than expected in 2009.

The committee established by the board and comprised of the board officers to negotiate with the teachers' union on behalf of the board will meet with the union Jan. 14. The committee was granted authority to act on behalf of the board and approve a health insurance agreement for 2009.

Camilla Downing was appointed to the Jackson Township Library Board.

The school corporation will seek ground maintenance proposals from local landscaping businesses in an effort to determine whether or not to outsource the work.

"We can see if we can save some money," Walker said.

Snow-removal will not be advertised.

Stone announced a fundraising concert featuring Delphi graduate and American Idol finalist Amanda Overmeyer will be Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. in the high school gymnasium. He said advertisement was being done in local and regional media as well as with posters and E-mails. Tickets are $5 and $10 and can be purchased from Sue Condon at the high school. A fundraising meal to benefit the athletic department will be held prior to the concert.

Becca Walker resigned as the middle school cheerleading coach. Erica Barnsfather was hired for the position.

Afternoon teacher in-service day is Jan. 15. A Larry Batson convocation will be at the Camden Early Childhood Center at 10:30 a.m.

The next board meeting will be Feb. 9 at 7 p.m.