logo
Login Subscribe
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinions
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinions
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
news
December 27, 2023
School report card grades good, but could use improvement
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR,

According to the Oklahoma Department of Education, “Report card measures … serve as indicators of how public schools are serving students in a variety of areas. Measured at different points, indicators work together to provide a snapshot of school performance.”

Eufaula schools’ report cards, issued by the Department of Education Nov. 15, fared well in the 2022-2023. The report is from testing in the spring of 2022.

Most school grades in the district surpass overall state grades.

“We’ve shown growth throughout the district, and improvement is always going to be our goal,” said School Superintendent Monty Guthrie. “But at the same time, our priority is always going to be on creating great citizen, on meeting the needs of the whole child as opposed to only focusing on grades, but if that leads us to greater tests, we’re going to be thrilled – but that is going to be secondary.”

For the most part, tests in the 2021-22, and 2022-23 school years have shown a lot of growth.

“The middle school was a B school this year, barely missed an A. Our high school was right on the verge of moving up to a B; so those things are positives for us,” Guthrie said. “We are going to continue to get better in those areas. I feel certain of that. We are definitely making an all out district- wide effort to improve our math scores.

“We’ve committed a lot of time and effort into professional development into trying to see if we can’t bump those scores up, do better in that area.”

The next tests will b e in the middle of April, first week in May.

The state’s grading system is far from perfect.

For example, the state only tests students once during their high school years.

Elementary and middle school students are tested annually to determine their progress. In high school they are tested once, in their first year.

“We are doing everything we can to monitor progress in high school, but it’s difficult to monitor progress … when you are only testing one time,” Guthrie said.

He said steps have been taken to correct that issue.

The district has signed up with NWEA – the Northwest Evaluation Association, a non-profit organization that has assessed over 4.5 million students.

“We take a benchmark assessment in January, and then we will do it again at the end of the school year. We’ll be able to compare the progress it will show on state tests and the progress we show on our own benchmark. We want to make sure they score alike.”

NWEA testing is the first time the school has had the testing option in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades.

A new twist also is being added to the school’s ACT and SAT testing, the tests most colleges and universities use to make admissions decisions.

The state used ACT tests, which are timed, multi-choice exams normally given in the junior year.

Taking a timed test might seem daunting to some students, who might not do well because of the anxiety over the timing.

To help the junior prepare for the ACT, Guthrie said the school is going to pay for ACT tests for sophomores.

“That’s going to give us some data to look at to see if we need to adjust our 11th grade English Language Arts and math. And number two, it will give them the opportunity to work through the ACT with time restraints.”

Paying for the ACT for sophomores may not always be possible.

“There may be some financial restraints. We may not always be able to do that, but I think it’s a worthwhile investment for the kids,” he said.

Not all students are going to go on to college after graduation.

“Between trades and military and college, it’s right around 50 percent,” Guthrie said.

What the school is trying to do is to determine students for college and career readiness.

School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
A: Main, news
School Board Association honors Pippenger, Madewell
September 17, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY - Eufaula School Board President Jeff Pippenger and Checotah School Superintendent Monte Madewell were honored for their contribution to education during the annual Education Leadership ...
A: Main, news
Brace yourself for traffic disruptions
September 17, 2025
The Oklahoma Department of Transportation will begin its long-awaited street project on Main Street (SH 9) in downtown Eufaula next week. An ODOT spokesman said traffic control will begin Monday, Sept...
A: Main, news
McIntosh is Candidate for 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma
September 17, 2025
Miss Janaya McIntosh of Eufaula is a candidate for the upcoming 2025 Miss Indian Oklahoma pageant. The Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women (OFIW) pageants offer young Native American women a chance to...
A: Main, news
Ford holding food drive
September 17, 2025
Ford dealers around the world are joining together to conduct the World’s Largest Ford Dealer Food Drive, now through Sept. 25. The local dealership where you may drop off food is Sam Wampler’s Freedo...
A: Main, news
LEA 2025 Golf Tournament Sept. 26
September 17, 2025
The 2025 Lake Eufaula Association Golf Tournament is just a week away, to be held Friday Sept. 26 at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3657 Main Park Rd., Canadian. Registration is at 8 a.m., shotgun start is at...
A: Main, news
POW/MIA Ceremony is Friday
September 17, 2025
On Friday, Sept. 19 the VFW Post 8798 Auxiliary will host a dinner in honor of soldiers who have not returned home from battle. The event will begin at 6 p.m. in the Post dining room on SH 9 east.
ePaper
google_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, news
Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday
September 17, 2025
Don’t miss the Lake Eufaula Out of Darkness Walk this Saturday, September 20. Come walk and show your support as locals bring awareness to suicide and how you can prevent it. “Being able to see the wa...
A: Main, news
Flag exchange drive
September 17, 2025
VFW Auxiliary 8798 would like to help you properly dispose of your worn out flags. We will exchange your worn 3x5 United States American Flag for a brand new one. Dates will be shared over the upcomin...
A: Main, news
Tribal Town Spelling Bee Sept. 27
September 17, 2025
The Eufaula-Canadian Tribal Town and the MCN Language Preservation Program will host the 10th annual Mvskoke Language Spelling Bee Competition on Sept. 27 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Eufaula Indian Co...
A: Main, news
Suspect awaits sanity decision in Minner case
By MICHAEL BARNES 
September 17, 2025
When a June 10 headline shook the community—Selby Minner, beloved blues musician and cultural icon, found dead—the shock reverberated through Rentiesville and far beyond. The one arrested for her murd...
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
news
Oklahoma Farm Bureau hosts 4th Annual Capitol Camp
By LaDonna Rhodes Staff Writer 
September 17, 2025
117 FFA and 4-H students from across the state convened at the Oklahoma State Capitol for the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s 4th Annual Capitol Camp held Sept. 3 – 4. The camp was an immersive twoday experien...
Facebook

THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL
100 N. 2nd Street
Eufaula, OK 74432

(918) 689-2191

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 THE EUFAULA INDIAN JOURNAL

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy