The Le Flore County
GUARDIAN
IN THE DEFENSE OF CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTY, COMMON SENSE & CIVIC VIRTUE
SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 A.D.
By DEWEY HARRISON
Associate Editor of The Guardian
In an earlier report (June 7, 2010 issue of The Guardian) we painted a dismal picture of the reading and math proficiency scores in Oklahoma schools. Oklahoma was adjusting achievement rates below basic levels of competency. The State Department of Education was exposed to this fraud and Education Secretary Sandy Garrett thought this might be a good time to retire.
Many school districts began aggressive remediation programs to meet the increased standards in student math and reading levels. The test results for that effort are in and the results are mixed for Le Flore County.
Most schools made progress. How did your school do?
(negative results are in red)
API Improvement
Score from 2009
Arkoma
Arkoma Elementary School 1,111 +85
Arkoma High School **** 30 students
required
Bokoshe
Bokoshe Elementary School 821 +82
Bokoshe Middle School 590 +46
Bokoshe High School **** ***
Cameron
Cameron Elementary School 789 0
Cameron High School 834 +275
Fanshawe
Fanshawe Elementary School 1,073 +120
Heavener
Heavener Elementary School 1,101 +96
Heavener High School 892 -172
Hodgen
Hodgen Elementary School 1,182 +115
Howe
Howe Elementary School 986 -68
Howe High School 719 -303
LeFlore
LeFlore Elementary School 653 +27
LeFlore High School *** ***
Monroe
Monroe Elementary School 1,084 +190
Panama
Panama Elementary School 836 -7
Panama Middle School 776 -121
Panama High School 1,055 -75
Pocola
Pocola Elementary School 881 -7
Pocola Middle School 1,072 +125
Pocola High School 1,109 +158
Poteau
Poteau Primary Elementary 1,252 +45
Poteau Upper Elementary 1,241 +69
Poteau Middle School 1,066 +5
Poteau High School 1,069 +10
Shady Point
Shady Point Elementary School 822 -146
Spiro
Spiro Elementary School 941 +132
Spiro Middle School 924 -15
Spiro High School 765 -83
Talihina
Talihina Elementary School 949 -42
Talihina Middle School 1,108 +98
Talihina High School 1,090 +58
Whitesboro
Whitesboro Elementary School 1,235 -128
Whitesboro High School ***** ***
Wister
Wister Elementary School 1,150 +83
Wister High School 1,135 +76
What is an Academic Performance Index (API) score? It is the measure of the performance and progress of a school district. Factors included in the high school formula include test results, attendance, graduation rates, drop outs, ACT scores and college remediation rates for math and reading. Middle and elementary schools use only the test scores and attendance rates.
An API score can range from 0 -1500. This report is only to measure if schools made improvement over the past year when forced to meet a higher standard. As you can see, Bokoshe had the lowest score, but made progress, while Whitesboro scored very well, but did not have the same level of achievement as last year. State average scores and the needs improvement list will be forthcoming. Preliminary reports indicate that it might not be pretty for some Leflore County school districts.
The Guardian will keep you posted.
Reading, math test scores mixed for county schools
Marion Fry, left, and Jon Sullivan conducted a friendly review of their aspirations for the district judge seat on Monday night.
County GOP reviews judicial candidates, two state questions
It is rare when two men, running for the same position, can speak kindly of the other. But when you already work together in the judicial system, it apparently makes it a lot easier.
Monday night’s appearance of the two candidates for district judge before Le Flore County Republicans was one of those rare moments.
Marion Fry and Jon Sullivan were the featured guest. Each is seeking to represent Le Flore, Haskell and Latimer counties as your next District Judge.
Several Republican members gave testimony to the character of both candidates, indicating that we could not lose with either of the candidates. “Both are well qualified for the position,” was the common refrain.
Both talked about the impact of the economy, maintaining budgets and the need to avoid staff reductions in district. Thus far the district has been able to maintain staff. Other districts have not been so fortunate.
Sullivan indicated that budget problems place pressure on the office for alternative sentencing rather than incarceration for non-violent offenders, noting that our county jail has reached capacity due to the fact that it houses prisoners for the state.
Fry also indicated a willingness to put first time, non-violent offenders into a strict rehab program. However, the program gives no second chances. The offender is given a strict regiment of rehab and he/she must follow the program in its entirety or the prisoner is subject to regular sentencing. Fry would also like to see offenders serve 100 percent of their sentence.
Neither of the candidates was eager to bash the other. The two work closely together, Fry being the first assistant DA while Sullivan was recently appointed as a Special Judge. Both displayed a mutual respect for each other. Fry has been a lawyer for more than 10 years, Sullivan more than 20.
Voters of the three county district will make their choice on Nov. 2. Judgeships are non-partisan elections.
In other business, the Republicans, meeting at the Kiamichi Vo-Tech Center, discussed regular agenda items, and a few of the state ballot questions.
Russell Smith talked about the need to pass State Question 756, which would prohibit forcing any person, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system. Smith, who is opposed to “Obamacare,” sees the implementation of the health care system as the biggest threat to America’s future.
Bobbie McAuliffe stressed the dangers hidden in State Question 744, also known as the HOPE initiative. The state question will mandate that Oklahoma spend annually on public education the average dollar amount spent by the six states surrounding Oklahoma.
McAuliffe is opposed to the bills passage because of permanent financial damage that will be inflicted on other state agencies.
