DECATUR --The Decatur School District released its 2016 Report to the Public at the Oct. 17 board meeting. The report was delivered to the board and public by superintendent Jeff Gravette.
School districts are required to report to the public on district progress prior to Nov. 15 each year. The report included updates on accreditation, program objectives and plans to correct district deficiencies.
Gravette reported that Decatur has maintained 585 students, the highest number of students the district has enrolled since the mid 1990s.
The 2015-2016 Annual Accreditation Report indicated that Northside Elementary School was fully accredited by the Arkansas Department of Education, with one citation for a teacher on an alternative licensing plan. Decatur High School was fully accredited with four citations. The citations were due to the teachers being assigned some classes outside of their licensure area. Data for this report was gathered in the spring of 2016.
Decatur Northside Elementary and Decatur High Schools have been identified as Focus Schools by the Arkansas Department of Education. This designation was made due to a larger than average gap of student performance of economically advantaged students compared to economically disadvantaged students, special needs students and language minority students. The district is employing a school improvement specialist to help close this gap. Both schools have moved their school grade cards up to a "C" as graded by the Arkansas Department of Education.
Test scores for the ACT Aspire exams given in the spring of 2016 were mixed.
Gravette shared the student averages in literacy and math at the elementary and early middle school grades were at or above national averages, while math scores at Decatur High School were well below national average. The district's free and reduced lunch rate for 2015-2016 was 86 percent.
"We have reduced the achievement gap in our district at the lower grades and continue to serve more students in small groups and through individual instruction," Gravette said.
Gravette reported that the district has made several staff changes to address the low scores in high school math.
The district now has a computer for each student in grades 5-12, with DHS students having been recently issued a personal device. The Arkansas Department of Facilities and Transportation recently approved the district's plans for a new middle school gym and high school cafeteria. The district will find out about funding for those projects after the legislative session concludes in May. The district has saved funds to complete the middle school gym without requesting additional bonds.
General News on 11/02/2016