THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
Q&A On Ridge Learning Center
Since last year, Elk Grove Twp. School Dist. 59 board members have fielded questions about the characteristics and day-to-day operations of the Ridge Family Center for Learning. Finally, they received answers to some of those questions a few weeks ago.
Last fall, board members made a reassessment of the facility one of its goals for the 2008-09 school year. Board members generated a list of "talking points" intended to form a basis of this reassessment.
Ridge has been in existence for seven years as the Dist. 59 "school of choice". Numerous questions were generated by the board of education during the December meeting, and additional background information was provided. Some of questions and answers for the 2007-08 school year are as follows:
* How does Ridge differ from other Dist. 59 schools in terms of demographics?
A total of 59% of Ridge students are comprised of Caucasian descent. The other main nationalities at the school consist of Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander.
Compared to the rest of the district, 50% of the student body is Caucasian, and the other two large nationalities are also Hispanic and Asian/Pacific Islander.
The district and Ridge both have a 29% student population rate with limited English proficiency, or English Language Learners (ELL).
Other numbers include 14% of Ridge students coming from low-income households compared to the district's 37%. Also, 19% of Ridge students participate in special education, compared to the district's 11%.
* What are the benefits and purpose of Ridge?
The mission is to learn together and nurture the development of the whole child through partnerships among students, staff, families, and community.
The vision is to have an open door environment, which provides extra time and support to maximize the potential of all children and motivate their love of learning.
Some of the core values and beliefs include: students will leave the school knowing how to solve everyday problems and will have the skills and knowledge to do so; students will demonstrate appropriate behavior and self-control; students, staff and families will have empathy and sensitivity to the needs of others; and more.
* What are additional budget considerations when looking at Ridge?
Ridge's textbook allocations include some additional funding in 2007-08 to cover the costs of the bilingual program expansion. As Ridge has the smallest enrollment of all the elementary schools, the economies of scale cannot be attained to the same level as a larger school, such as Salt Creek Elementary or Grove Jr. High in Elk Grove Village. Therefore, Ridge's cost per student exceeds all other schools in the district.
* How do we judge success at Ridge versus other district schools?
Ridge compares "favorably" in the areas of high achievement, life-long learning, efficient and effective use of resources, and stakeholder participation, meeting or exceeding the district results.
In the area of safe and nurturing learning environment, Ridge is below the district average in three areas consisting of Harris Interactive Survey results, 5th Grade Exit Survey results and sick requests per employee.
The goal for high achievement is for all students to meet established benchmarks and/or meet the Illinois Learning standards and English Language Proficiency Standards.
The goal for safe and nurturing environment is for all staff and students be provided a safe environment and nurture a positive climate.
The goal for life-long learning is for all staff and students will demonstrate competency in the use of technology and software.
The goal for efficient and effective use of resource is to preserve the district's financial integrity; while the goal for stakeholder participation is for all parents to support their child's learning.
* What is the academic performance of Ridge students?
Compared to the 2006-07 school year, third grade students at Ridge improved in both math and reading during the Illinois Students Achievements Test (ISAT) by nine and two points respectively. Also, third grade students at Ridge scored higher than other third grade students throughout the district.
However, test scores declined this year compared to other years amongst fourth grade students in reading and science and reading and math for fifth grade students.
On the other hand, when the students took the IMAGE test, third and fourth graders either scored the same compared to last year or improved, except third graders in reading, dropping from 100% to 83%.
* How has Ridge changed from its opening to today?
Some of the changes include: increase in the number of students attending Ridge; increase in elementary sections from four to 12; increase in physical education, fine arts, secretarial and resource staff allocation; position of Family Facilitator converted to behavioral specialist supporting student and family social and emotional well being; substantial increase in the number of ELL and special education students, and more.