Dawson-Bryant sees increase in numbers
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 9, 2002
COAL GROVE-- The Dawson-Bryant School District is experiencing a slight enrollment growth. According to figures compiled last week, Dawson-Bryant has 1340 students. That's an increase of 17 students from last year.
"I think it's two things," Superintendent James Payne said. "People are not leaving the district, and more students are choosing to open enroll in the district."
Payne told the board of education Monday night that he thinks some of the district's high school offerings that better prepare students either for the world of work or for college are reasons some students choose to open enroll.
Payne said a concerted effort has been made to insure that when students graduate, they leave with more than just a diploma. Dawson-Bryant students who choose to pursue a college education can take advanced placement courses in calculus and chemistry. If they pass the test at the end of the class, they may bypass those courses when they get to college.
Students also have the option of taking various vocational education, or technical career programs which sometimes leads to gainful employment out of high school.
"These kids can actually leave high school and make an attractive wage because they're qualified to do so," Payne said. "We're trying to maximize the potential of all our students."
Last week was Count Week for schools across Ohio. It is the first full week of classes this school year for many districts, and is when official enrollment tallies are taken.
Also Monday night, Payne shared with the board the district's report card: facts and figures regarding the 2001-02 school year education gains and proficiency test results.
Payne told the board the district is improving, and while there are still areas that need improvement, there are some notable accomplishments as well.
Payne said that in most areas tested in each grade level, Dawson-Bryant students performed as well or better than the state average, and as well or better than the average for other school districts of similar size.
Dawson-Bryant fourth graders showed improved scores in citizenship, reading, writing, and science this year over previous years tested, but fared less well on the math portion of the test. Reading scores were most improved over last year's scores, with 91.8 percent of the students meeting the goals of this part of the test.
Sixth graders did not fare as well this year as they did last year most areas of the test, but showed some improvement in math. Payne acknowledged that the sixth grade results were a "trouble area" for the district.
Ninth graders showed proficiency in nearly every area tested, and posted gains in writing.
Payne said overall, the district met 14 of the 22 indicators on the standardized testing. This is a gain of 3 indicators over the previous school year.
The student attendance rate for the 2001-02 school year was in line with the state average.
Payne called the districts high school graduation rate a "highlight," noting that 95.7 percent of Coal Grove youths will pick up a diploma for their effort. The state average is only 82.2 percent. The graduation rate for school districts of a similar size is only 84.4. For Dawson- Bryant, the 2001-02 graduation stats are a five point jump over the previous year.
"We are encouraged by the number of students staying with us," Payne said. "And we do encourage all students to graduate."