Northwest High School 2003-04 Annual Report
Northwest High School 2003-04 Annual Report
Volume XVII Number I October 28, 2004
District 82
Bill Mowinkel, Superintendent
In compliance with the accreditation rule (Rule 10) and Board Policy 11.04, this is the annual report to the Board of Education and to the Northwest School Community for the school year 2003-04. This report will provide the Board of Education and patrons a written record of the happenings in the district.
NorthwestHigh School was founded in 1963. It is located in Hall, Howard, and Merrick counties and covers 223 square miles. The school is a Class VI system that covers grades 9-12, is accredited by the State of Nebraska Department of Education and by the North Central Accreditation Association of Colleges and Secondary schools.
The Northwest district serves students from four Class I elementary K-8 centers. The Class I districts are: 501 Hall (1R), 3 Hall (Cedar Hollow,) 118 Howard (St. Libory), and 9 Merrick (Chapman). The district also serves students from Westridge through the state option enrollment program. The Northwest Board feels it is important to continue the neighborhood school concept and assure students in the Northwest area that they have the option to attend Northwest. Option enrollment forms are made available to students upon registration. They should be returned prior to March 15 to ensure enrollment processing. With the additions to the building, all regular education students wishing to attend Northwest should be allowed to attend. I would encourage all students that are non-residents wishing to attend Northwest in the 2005-06 school term to complete an option enrollment form as soon as possible. Students who are optioning to Northwest after their 9th grade year are required to have their option paper submitted prior to March 15 for state approval of varsity competition.
Northwest Board of Education
As the elected governing body of the school district, the Northwest Board of Education is the liaison between the community and professional educators. Board members are elected to a four year term. The board normally meets the second Monday of the month. The present board members are:
Phil Mader – President Albert Moeller - Member
Bill Buettner - Vice-President Keith Ostermeier - Member
Tim Victor – Secretary Char Kruse - Advisory Member
Duane Witt – Treasurer Dianne McMahon - Advisory Member
Common Levy
Commencing with the 1995-96 school year, State of Nebraska School Law 79-438.13 went into effect. This law is known as the Common Levy for Class 1 (elementary only school districts) that is part of a Class VI (9-12) school district. The Common Levy creates a system by which patrons of an individual Class 1 school district pay an equalized cost or levy to educate their students on a K-12 basis. The Common Levy pertains to the general fund, only, for all patrons in Districts 1R and 3 in HallCounty, District 9M in MerrickCounty, and District 118 in HowardCounty. The Common Levy also includes the levy for NorthwestHighSchool District. The Common Levy for the NorthwestHigh School system for the 2002-03 school year was 1.02529 per $100 of valuation. Again, the Common Levy is for the K-12 general fund only, and does not include each individual district's bond fund or special building fund.
General Fund....................................................General operation of our school district.
Building Fund...................................................A savings fund for school building, repair, and renovation.
Bond Fund............................................... …….A fund established to retire the bonds issued for
construction/renovation.
Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund.....Provide for removal of environmental hazard abatement.
Northwest Testing Program
It shall be the policy of Northwest School District 82 to use the following standardized, norm-referenced assessment instrument or instruments for grades 9-12:
Grade 9 Ottis/Lennon School Ability Test. This test is a learning ability test given to all 9th graders in the fall of their freshman year.
Grade 10 PLAN-Consists of four academic achievement tests: English, mathematics, reading and science reasoning. An additional component includes an interest inventory, needs assessment and a planning guide for students and parents.
Grade 11 ASVAB-test measuring aptitudes on various areas in the work world, but particularly service oriented occupations. This test is administered to students in September of their junior year.
PSAT- astandardized test for college entrance and scholarship information. This optional test is administered in the fall of the junior year.
ITED-An achievement test battery to assess intellectual skills that represent the long term goals of secondary education, particularly the critical thinking skills of analysis and evaluation.
Grade 12 ACT-standardized test for fulfilling college entrance requirements for most Mid-western optional colleges, and for scholarship consideration. This test is administered at various times throughout the school year.
SAT-astandardized test for fulfilling college entrance requirements for most East/West optional colleges, and for scholarship consideration. This test is administered at various times throughout the school year.
Northwest Average ACT Scores Compared to State and National Averages
The ACT Assessment is designed for high school students who plan to attend college. Seventy-three percent of our 2004 graduation class took the ACT Test.
Test Scores English Math Reading Science Composite
National 20.4 20.7 21.3 20.9 20.9
State 21.2 21.5 22.0 21.6 21.7
Local 21.7 22.0 23.0 22.4 22.4
A student's performance on the tests has a direct and obvious relationship to his or her academic development. The comparisons speak well for our students and their preparation for college.
Norm-Referenced Testing
NorthwestHigh School conducts standardized norm-referenced assessment on an annual basis. The ACT Plan Test is taken by all sophomores. 2003-2004 sophomores scoring were:
English Math Reading Science Composite
National 16.1 16.3 15.8 17.4 16.5
2003-2004 18.0 18.4 18.3 19.3 18.6
NebraskaReading/Writing Standards
District Results 2003-04
Grade 4 (%’s indicate number of students out of 85 that were proficient or advanced in 2003-04)
* Demonstrate the use of multiple strategies in reading unfamiliar words and phrases. 83%
* Demonstrate the use of multiple strategies to increase their vocabulary. (ITBS) 51%
* Identify the main idea and supporting details in what they have read. (ITBS) 63%
* Identify the resource appropriate for a specific purpose, and use the resource to locate
information. (ITBS) 57%
* Identify and use characteristics to classify different types of text. 70%
* Identify and apply knowledge of the structure, elements, and literary techniques to
analyze fiction. 65%
* Identify and apply knowledge of the text structure and organizational elements to
analyze non-fiction or informational text. 57%
* Identify similarities and differences between two fourth grade level reading selections. 50%
* Participate in group discussions by asking questions and contributing information and
ideas. 83%
* Identify information gained and complete tasks through listening. 84%
Overall Percentage 83%
District-wide, the 4th graders were 90% proficient in the Statewide Writing Assessment while the state average was 80%.
NebraskaMathematics Standards
District Results 2003-04
Grade 4 (%’s indicate number of students out of 85 that were proficient or advanced in 2003-04)
* Determine the perimeter of a many-sided figure. 84%
* Analyze, compare, and solver problems with geometric figures. 85%
* Identify, describe and extend arithmetic patterns using concrete materials. 82%
* Identify and demonstrate positive and negative numbers and zero. 93%
* Make change and count out in amounts to $20.00 92%
* Solve problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions. 82%
* Tell correct time to the minute on an analog clock. 86%
* Identify, describe, and create two and three-dimensional geometric shapes. 75%
* Identify and draw points, lines, segments, rays, and angles. 92%
* Demonstrate an understanding of place value through the millions and decimals to
the hundredths place. 81%
* Represent numbers in equivalent forms. 87%
* Describe and apply relationships between numbers by order, comparison, and across
the operation. 91%
* Estimate and accurately calculate with and without calculators and solve problems
involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. 83%
* Estimate, measure, and solve problems using metric units. 98%
* Estimate, measure and solve problems using standard units of measure 87%
* Estimate and accurately calculate with and without calculators and solve problems
involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. (ITBS) 59%
* Collect, organize, represent, and interpret numerical data and communicate the
findings. (ITBS) 65%
* Use and interpret variables, mathematical symbols and properties to write and simplify
expressions and sentences. 61%
Overall Percentage: 82%
NebraskaReading/Writing Standards
District Results 2003-04
Grade 8(%’s indicate number of students out of 75 that were proficient or advanced in 2003-04)
* Identify main idea and supporting details in what they have read. (ITBS) 78%
* Identify, locate, and use multiple resources to access information on an assigned or
self-selected topic. (ITBS) 78%
* Identify and classify different types of text. 97%
* Identify and apply knowledge of the structure, elements, and literary techniques to
analyze fiction. 79%
* Identify and apply knowledge of the text structure and organizational elements to
analyze non-fiction or information text. 80%
* Identify similarities and differences across a variety of eighth grade reading selections. 71%
* Demonstrate the ability to analyze literary works, non-fiction, films, or media. 74%
* Demonstrate use of self-generated questions, note taking, and summarizing
while outlining. 87%
* Participate in group discussions by asking questions and contributing information and
ideas. 96%
* Use multiple presentation styles for specific audiences and purposes. 93%
* Identify information gained and complete tasks through listening. 88%
Overall Percentage 84%
District-wide, the 8th graders were 96% proficient in the Statewide Writing Assessment while the state average was 83%.
NebraskaMathematics Standards
District Results 2003-04
Grade 8 (%’s indicate number of students out of 75 that were proficient or advanced in 2003-04)
* Apply appropriate use of number theory such as prime and composite, factors and
multiples, divisibility, powers, properties, and identities. 74%
* Apply the order of operations to solve problems both with and without calculators. 71%
* Apply algebraic concepts and algebraic operations to solve problems. 71%
* Recognize and utilize real numbers such as whole numbers, integers, and
rational numbers. 78%
* Represent and use numbers in a variety of forms. 80%
* Apply relationships between fractions, decimals, and percents in different situations. 84%
* Recognize appropriate use of statistical methods and appropriate use of probability
as a means for decision making. 84%
* Collect, analyze, interpret, and display data. 83%
* Conduct experiments or simulations to demonstrate an understanding of theoretical
probability and relative frequency. 88%
* Understand and apply geometric properties and relations of congruence, similarity,
symmetry and Pythagorean theorem. 82%
* Identify, describe, compare and classify geometric figures. 83%
* Select appropriate tools and properly measure in both standard and metric units. 72%
* Convert units within measurement systems using proper conversion factors. 75%
* Apply the formulas to solve problems involving perimeter, area, and circumference. 79%
* Solve problems using the formulas for volume and surface area. 82%
* Use geometric representations to solve problems and describe the physical world. 93%
* Demonstrate knowledge and use of the one and two-dimensional coordinate systems. 84%
* Describe and represent relations using tables, graphs, and rules. 76%
* Apply transformations to geometric figures. 87%
* Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals and fractions. (ITBS) 76%
* Identify the appropriate operations and do the correct calculations to solve word
problems. (ITBS) 73%
* Solve problems involving whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers. (ITBS) 76%
* Apply strategies of estimation to a variety of problems. (ITBS) 76%
* Read and interpret tables, charts and graphs to make comparisons, predictions
and inferences. (ITBS) 79%
Overall Percentage: 78%
Reading/Writing Standards
District Results 2003-04
Grade 11 (%’s indicate number of students that were proficient or advanced.)
|
Standard |
2001-02 (163 Students) |
2002-03 (190 Students) |
2003-04 (130 Students) |
|
Identify basic facts and ideas in reading. (ITED) |
64% |
62% |
71% |
|
Locate, identify and use resources for research. (ITED) |
52% |
60% |
55% |
|
Identify and use characteristics to classify types of text. |
88% |
56% |
69% |
|
Identify stated or implied theme. |
76% |
57% |
68%
|
|
Identify fiction through knowledge of elements and literary techniques. |
62% |
54% |
64% |
|
Analyze non-fiction text. |
72% |
63% |
70% |
|
Analyze literary works, non-fiction, films, and media. |
56% |
71% |
67% |
|
Participate in student directed discussions. |
|
81% |
88%
|
|
Make oral presentations. |
81% |
88% |
97% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall Percentage: |
69% |
66% |
72% |
Northwest juniors were 94% proficient in the Statewide Writing Assessment as compared to the state average of 87%.
Mathematics Standards
District Results 2003-04
Grade 11 (%’s indicate number of students out of 130 that were proficient or advanced.)
* Compare relationships between subsets of real numbers. 73%
* Express equivalent forms of numbers using exponents, radicals, etc. 73%
* Solve theoretical and applied problems using numbers in equivalent forms, radicals,
exponents, scientific notations, etc. (ITED) 67%
* Justify the reasonableness of solutions. 72%
* Perform estimations and computations mentally, with pencil and paper and with
technology. (ITED) 67%
* Use appropriate measuring units, tools, and technology to achieve a specified degree
of precision and accuracy. 60%
* Convert between metric and standard units of measurement. 77%
* Calculate perimeter, area, and volume for two and three-dimensional shapes. 60%
* Utilize geometric relationships and terms to describe the physical world. 70%
* Analyze relationships among geometric forms. 67%
* Apply coordinate geometry to locate objects and describe objects algebraically. 67%
* Apply right triangle trigonometry to solve problems. 64%
* Apply geometric properties to solve problems. 71%
* Apply deductive reasoning to arrive at valid conclusions. 73%
* Interpret algebraic equations and inequalities graphically and describe geometric
relationships algebraically. 78%
* Apply and solve problems involving equations and inequalities. 62%
* Apply and solve problems involving systems of equations and systems of inequalities
and systems of inequalities and matrices. 65%
* Apply and solve problems using patterns, algebraic expressions, functions, and
regression analysis. 78%
Overall Percentage: 69%
Student Activities
Participation in student activities is an important part of students' lives during their formative years. NorthwestHigh School encourages participation in clubs, athletics, music, speech, drama, and journalism. Activities are extremely valuable and fulfilling experiences for students.
The students at Northwest can be proud of the role they played during the 2003-04 school year and the many successes they experienced being involved in our activities program. The support of our school/community promotes a positive relationship and encourages students to strive for excellence in their chosen activities. The objectives of school activities programs are to develop a positive self-image, understand how to cooperate with others, and be productive and contributing members of society.
2003-04 School Year Activity Participants
MissionStatement
The Northwest Educational Community will create an environment which will nurture the social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development of each individual.
Thank You
We would like to thank all parents and patrons who serve on committees and boards, help with Booster Club activities, and any others who give of their time, energy, and talents to the Northwest Educational Community.
Annual Report
As a patron of the Northwest District and the northwest area, you have received this Annual Report. In this report, you will find summarizing data on students, staff, finances and some of the district programs for the 2003-04 school year. It is impossible to include all pertinent information; so if additional information is desired, please contact the office of the superintendent, 2710 N North Road, telephone 385-6398.
Bill Mowinkel
Superintendent
