WOODSTOCK — A website that ranks schools based on student test scores has listed Telstar Regional High School next to last in the state, SAD 44 Director John Walker told the board Monday night.
The rankings by SchoolDigger.com are based on test scores supplied by each state’s Department of Education, according to the website.
Walker said the high school ranked 117 out of 118 high schools in Maine, and he was skeptical of the reliability of the ranking.
Superintendent David Murphy said the information on the site is accurate, and the data was pulled from the Maine Department of Education.
He pointed out the additional rankings within the district: Woodstock School was No. 5 out of 295 elementary schools, Telstar Middle School was No. 35 out of 98 middle schools, and the district was ranked No. 69 out of 171.
Murphy said the high school ranking is based on the SAT scores of this year’s seniors, and therefore prone to fluctuate year to year.
“That being said, it’s a real area of concern,” Murphy said.
In other business, it was announced there will be an informational session on the updated school board policy on bullying at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, tentatively in the Telstar library. Employees from the Maine Department of Education and an attorney were invited to speak, and school administrators will give a PowerPoint presentation.
Murphy announced that Telstar Middle School will receive a 3D printer, thanks to the Perloff Foundation grant.
The grant will allow students to experience a 3D printer in their science classroom. The printer manufactures 3-dimensional objects through computer commands. Murphy said it’s an exciting opportunity for students and the school.
“Connecting with this foundation may also allow us to receive additional support in the form of more printers or reduced costs if we decide to purchase additional ones,” he said.
He also announced Bangor Savings Bank donated $500 toward the purchase of a plaque for the Captain Benjamin Cross Memorial Field, which honors 2009 graduate and Marine, Ben Cross. Fellow Telstar graduate, Morgan Carver, connected the bank with the school.
emarquis@sunmediagroup.net
The SAD 44 school board met Monday night at Woodstock School in Woodstock. (Liz Marquis/Sun Journal)
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