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State Says Schools on Improvement List Increasing in Number The number of Arkansas schools categorized as being in school improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind legislation rose to 375 this year, for an increase of 50 from the year before, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Education on Friday. Arkansas has a total of 1,087 schools. Under No Child Left Behind, all students in the nation are to score proficient on their states' Benchmark Exams by the 2013-14 school year and, to that end, schools are mandated to make "adequate yearly progress" toward reaching that goal. In Arkansas, the bar to reach adequate yearly progress, or AYP, is raised each year, and this year the percentage that must be proficient to make AYP ranges, depending on grade and test, from 46.63 percent to 55 percent. Those marks must be hit by the test-taking student body as a whole and also within individual subgroups of test-taking students in literacy and in mathematics. Schools that fail to make adequate yearly progress for two consecutive years are placed in school improvement status. In Ashley County, there are five schools in one of the various levels of improvement. For the Crossett School District, Daniel Intermediate is in improvement, but met standards this year. Crossett High School did not make the required average yearly progress in literacy or math for the combined population and also failed to make the required scores in the African-American and economically disadvantaged subgroups. For Daniel Intermediate, the problem is the literacy and math scores by the economically disadvantaged subgroups. At Norman Junior High, the problem is in literacy scores for the combined population as well as the African-American and economically disadvantaged subgroups. In the Hamburg School District, Allbritton Upper Elementary and Hamburg Junior High are on the school improvement lists. At Allbritton, the problem is in both the literacy and math scores for African-American students. Allbritton is in the fourth year of school improvement. At the junior high, the school met standards for this year, but will have to meet the requirements for a second year in order to be removed from the list. All other Hamburg schools including Noble, Portland, Wilmot and Hamburg High, and other Crossett schools met the requirements for this year. All of the Ashley County schools met the AYP requirements for other subgroups including whites, Hispanics, limited English proficiency and students with disabilities or else did not have enough students in those End-of-Course Exams are administered to all algebra I, geometry, algebra II and biology students. All of these tests save for the algebra II and biology End-of-Course Exams are used in AYP calculations for the status model. Adequate yearly progress, which is measured by increased performance on the exams, must occur for the combined population of test-takers as well as for test-takers within each of the following subgroups: economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, limited English proficient, African-American, Caucasian and Hispanic. If any of these groups fails to make AYP in mathematics or in literacy, the entire school is considered not to have made AYP. Subgroups are considered in the AYP calculation when they include 40 or more such students in the school. When a school fails to make AYP for two consecutive years, then they are considered to be in "school improvement." A school must make AYP for two consecutive years to be removed from the school improvement list. Because Arkansas was approved for use of a growth model beginning with last year's school improvement calculations, schools may avoid the "in need of improvement label" if their students have achieved sufficient academic growth from the previous year. This year, 53 schools made AYP because of use of the growth model. "It is really encouraging to see how many schools are moving their students toward proficiency," Dr. James said. "The growth model allows those schools that perhaps are working with a more challenging population of students n students who came to school with fewer skills and less knowledge n to receive credit for the efforts and progress they have made in moving those students to higher levels of learning." The way the model works is that it adds to a school's percentage of proficient students the percentage of students who have made adequate growth along individual trajectories that lead to proficiency by the time the students are in the eighth grade. If the sum of those two percentages reaches the target percentage for AYP, the school makes AYP. In addition to the growth model, schools can also make AYP by meeting "safe harbor." Schools qualify for safe harbor if they have a 95 percent attendance rate or have 95 percent or more of their student's taking the Benchmarks in addition to reducing the number of students scoring below proficient by 10 percent. The Arkansas Comprehensive Testing Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP) established the 2001-2002 school year as the initial year for tracking student performance. For each school, the percent proficient is determined by dividing the sum of all eligible students tested in mathematics and literacy who scored at or above the proficient level by the total number of students enrolled. A school may use a percentage for a singular year or may use the percentage representing a three-year average. Whichever method a school chooses for reporting scores must be used for all of the tests that year. The progression of actions for a school not meeting AYP is as follows: --Year One/Alert: Review school improvement plan and establish professional development needs for faculty and staff. --Year Two/School Improvement: School must provide choice option for students to attend another school in the district not in improvement. May, at the option of the school/district, offer supplemental services if choice is not an option --Year Three/School Improvement: School must continue to provide choice and add the option of supplemental services to students who qualify. --Year Four/Corrective Action: The state is required to establish and implement a plan of corrective action. --Year Five/Reconstruction: The state is required to act to restructure the identified school. The Arkansas Department of Education, for the third year, has contracted with America's Choice, a "turn-around" model to perform intensive work to raise the achievement in schools identified last year in years four or higher of school improvement. America's Choice is in place in 36 schools across the state, while 13 others received a waiver from the program because they are utilizing an approved alternative program. The Department has also applied to the U.S. Department of Education for approval of a Differentiated Accountability model. Under this model, school districts would be differentiated based upon the number of subgroups that missed AYP and interventions and consequences would be more directly targeted to schools based on that differentiation. The state should learn if the proposal is approved in December. The school improvement list is available electronically at ArkansasEd.org. Three More Hamburg Teachers Earn National Certification The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards on Tuesday, December 9, released the names of 265 Arkansas teachers who attained National Board certification in 2008. This brings the total of National Board certified teachers in Arkansas to 1,116.
Crossett Board Oks Bids For Facilities Work; Hears Update on District Finances Crossett's board of education meeting was standard with board members taking action on three submitted bids and two facility requests during the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday night, December 16. Members were also presented the monthly financial report and discussed proposed policy changes. Crossett Council Debates Parking on Lawns Parking vehicles on lawns was the hot topic of discussion at Crossett's City Council meeting on Monday, December 15. George Stagg of Crossett was honored during the 2008 Arkansas Forestry Commission employees of the year award luncheon held Friday, Dec. 12, at Brave New Restaurant in Little Rock.
Teachers in the Hamburg School District will not receive a Christmas bonus this year, despite some lobbying efforts for such a payment. The Hamburg School Board decided Monday night, December 15, that such a payment would be fiscally irresponsible.
In the regular meeting of the Ashley County Quorum Court on Tuesday, December 9, the justices approved the budget for the coming year and also approved a distribution of game and fish fines to the Hamburg and Crossett school districts. In addition, the county jail will soon be housing prisoners from Warren and Bradley County. UAM One of Only 33 Colleges To Earn Concurrent Credit Approval The Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) has announced that the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM), has become one of only 33 higher education institutions in the nation to receive full accreditation for its concurrent enrollment programs through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP), a professional organization for high schools and colleges that fosters and supports rigorous concurrent enrollment. Berry Packing Renovations To Create 50 New Jobs in County In a period where the national news is full of bailouts of banks, the auto industry and insurance companies, there was some good news in Ashley County this past week when the Crossett Economic Development Foundation announced that 50 new jobs will be coming to the area.
A hearing in a capital murder case in Ashley County Circuit Court ended in a twist on Friday afternoon, December 5, when the accused, Justin Dailey Carpenter, 34, entered a guilty plea to first degree murder, a Class Y felony. Eight File Applications for Post of Hamburg School Superintendent With three weeks remaining before the application period closes, eight people, including two with ties to the Hamburg School District, have applied for the position of superintendent of schools. The deadline for applications to be returned is December 31, and Hamburg's interim superintendent, Marilyn Chambers, said Monday afternoon that three or more application packets are still out.
Ashley County narcotics detective Matthew D. Brooks was one of eighteen Arkansas law enforcement officers honored last week for completing the Narcotics Officer Certificate Program. This was an intensive education program of the Criminal Justice Institute that provides law enforcement officers with the knowledge and skills they need to conduct a basic narcotics investigation. The ceremony was held Wednesday, December 3, in the Capitol Room in the University Center at UAM.
Fifth graders from Allbritton Elementary are helping others while they help themselves this school year by participating in Scholastic Book Club's Classrooms Care program, a philanthropy-based literacy campaign designed to teach children about the joys and importance of reading and giving. This fall, students in Melissa Bell's classroom and all across the country read 100 books and, in turn, Scholastic Book Clubs, a division of Scholastic, the global children's publishing and media company, will donate one million new books to disadvantaged children nationwide. Magnolia Judge to Succeed Sam Bird in District 5 Seat on Court of Appeals LITTLE ROCK n Governor Mike Beebe has named Mike Kinard of Magnolia as Associate Judge for District 5 on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. McGehee Lawyer Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud Charges Two weeks before Justin Dailey Carpenter is scheduled to stand trial before an Ashley County Circuit Court Jury, his former attorney pleaded guilty on two counts of mail fraud. Thanksgiving Comes One Day Early for 160 Guard Members CAMP SHELBY JOINT FORCES TRAINING CENTER, Miss. - Shedding tears of joy on Hamburg Needs to Recycle, Cut Landfill Costs, Hargis Tells Council Hamburg Public Works Director Jimmy Hargis told the Hamburg City Council in its regular meeting on Monday night, November 24, that the city needs to look at a recycling program to cut the costs of material taken to the Ashley County Landfill. International Paper to "Indefinitely" Close Pulp Mill in Bastrop International Paper on Friday, November 21, announced the indefinite closure of its pulp mill in Bastrop, LA. Hamburg Board Oks Track Funds, Discusses Superintendent Search The regular meeting of the Hamburg School Board on Monday night, November 17, was a rather routine one, with the board taking action on only one item. The board also again discussed the procedure for hiring a new superintendent.
After months of debate by Crossett's aldermen to perfect and adopt an amended animal control ordinance, council members again addressed the topic during Crossett's regular city council meeting on Monday night, November 17. Quorum Court Approves Levy of Taxes for Next Year, Hears Reports Members of the Ashley County Quorum Court, in their regular meeting, held Wednesday, November 12, because the courthouse was closed on Tuesday for Veterans Day, adopted the tax rates for the various taxing units in the county for this year. Crossett Board Buys Buses, Sends Seventh Grader Home for Year The Crossett School Board held its regular meeting on Thursday, November 13. Presenting the financial report, Business Manager Norman Hill said the district is back on monthly cash basis. In a comparison of the current year to the previous year, Hill said the ending balance in October reflects $110,393.91 more, but the amount includes $300,000 in local taxes paid to the district last month. "We actually collected about $300,000 in local taxes in October of this year that is normally collected in November," said Hill. "We're back on a cash basis." Legal Notices Now Available on Web Effective this week, all legal notices published in the print edition of the Ashley County Ledger are also available in a searchable form on the Internet. The web site also features legal notices from the Crossett newspaper and many others in the state and from over 30 newspapers across the nation. From Portland to the Battle of the Bulge and Dachau: Earl Cochran in WWII "I'm not a hero, I did as I was told," Earl Cochran, 90, of Portland said, reflecting on the time he served as a captain with the 42nd Infantry, Rainbow Division, in the 3rd and later the 7th Army during World War II. Cochran, a 1936 graduate of Portland High School, obtained a business degree in 1940 from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. While in college, he said, male students were required to attend two years of Reserve Officer Training Course (ROTC), but that he re-enrolled in the course and attended four years and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Court of Appeals Affirms County Cocaine Conviction The Arkansas Court of Appeals, in a decision released on Wednesday, November 5, affirmed the conviction of an Ashley County man for possession of cocaine with intent to deliver and fleeing.
Governor Mike Beebe and Department of Rural Services Director Butch Calhoun presented $163,291.92 to 15 rural communities selected for Fiscal Year 2009 Cycle I funding through the Arkansas Rural Community Grant Program at an awards ceremony held October 31 in the governor's reception rRoom at the Arkansas State Capitol. Hamburg, Crossett Announce Dates, Plans for Christmas Celebrations The Hamburg and Crossett Chambers of Commerce announced plans for the annual Christmas celebrations in the two cities. In Hamburg, the annual Hamburg Holidays celebration will be held on Thursday, December 4, on the square, while Crossett's celebration will be one day later, on Friday, December 5. Jury Finds Holland Not Guilty in 3,373 Acre Fire An Ashley County Circuit Court jury of six men and six women with two female alternates deliberated only about two hours on Thursday afternoon, November 6, before returning a verdict clearing Joel David "Luke" Holland of all charges in connection with the January 8, 2006, fires that burned 3,373 acres. Ashley County Votes for McCain, Kersten, Hospital Tax and Amendments Ashley County's voters were in step with fellow voters in Arkansas in the general election on Tuesday, November 4, as they gave Republican John McCain a majority for U. S. President, but they were out of step with the nation as a whole. Democrat Barack Obama won the election handily. Hamburg Board Sets Plans For Superintendent Search In a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, October 30, the Hamburg School Board approved the procedure to follow in the search for a new superintendent of schools. State Says Schools on Improvement List Increasing in Number The number of Arkansas schools categorized as being in school improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind legislation rose to 375 this year, for an increase of 50 from the year before, according to a news release from the Arkansas Department of Education on Friday. Crossett Among Winners of Volunteer Awards Twelve communities have been selected to receive the 2008 Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year Award. Chosen to receive recognition for their volunteer efforts are Bay, Bella Vista, Bryant, Clarkridge, Clarksville, Crossett, El Dorado, Fort Smith, Heber Springs, Marked Tree, Maumelle, and Van Buren. Class Seeks Nominations For HHS Hall of Fame The Leadership Class at Hamburg High School is in the process of creating a Hamburg Hall of Fame to recognize successful graduates of the school. Hamburg Chamber Asks Council for Support The Hamburg City Council in its regular meeting on Monday night, October 27, heard three requests for funding. Hamburg Board Finalizes Sale of Phase II Construction Bonds In a special meeting at noon on Tuesday, October 21, the Hamburg School Board finalized the sale of $2.79 million in construction bonds for the second phase of the projects approved by the voters in 2007. Crossett Council Takes Action on Launius Request With two items on the agenda, one of which was postponed, Crossett aldermen took a single action during the council's regular meeting held on Monday, October 20. Hamburg Board to Set Requirements, Desires for Superintendent In its regular meeting on Monday night, October 20, the Hamburg School Board set two special meetings, with one of the two to deal with construction projects and the second to formulate what the board wants in a permanent superintendent and the procedures for the search. Child's Death Due To Internal Injuries Ashley County Coroner Steve Hartshorn said this week that a report from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory indicated that a Hamburg girl, Niesha Kry'stal Lewis, died from internal injuries as a result of an automobile accident in Hamburg on Friday, October 3. Rawls Presides Over Quorum Court Meeting The Ashley County Quorum Court held its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 14, in a session that lasted only about 20 minutes. Crossett Board Reorganizes; Hill Says Inflation Eating Up Savings from District Reconfiguration The election of officers and ex-officio financial secretary, financial report, the annual report to the public and the designation of disbursing officer centered Crossett's School Board of Education October meeting held on Monday, October 13. One of the two Crossett men accused in the April beating death of a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, man was sentenced Monday, October 20, to 10 years in prison. Crossett School District Report to the Public The Crossett School District operates four school sites, all of which are accredited by the North Central Association. A very detailed improvement plan is in place at each campus to guide the schools by NCA Standards over a five-year period. Additionally, the schools are following plans to improve the academic success of students on the state-mandated assessment.
Wilmot native Mamie Parker has been selected The Wilderness Society's national Faces of Conservation award for her lifetime commitment to fish and wildlife conservation. Her photo will hang on a specially-designated wall in the nonprofit's Washington headquarters.
According to an announcement from Miss Ashley County pageant coordinator Renee Stokes, Jahley Stahley has relinquished her the title of Miss Ashley County 2008 as well as the crown, all awards and scholarships.
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