A handful of numbers caught the eyes of Omaha Public Schools administrators this fall: science scores well below those posted for other schools.
The scores on the annual State Report Card also were markedly lower than the schools’ own scores in reading, math and writing.
That was despite the district as a whole showing improvement at every grade level at which students were assessed.
“We do see what you see. It’s not going ignored,” said Deirdra Washington, OPS’s science supervisor.
Among the science scores: 30 percent proficient at Omaha South High and 31 percent proficient at Monroe Middle School. At the elementary level, Conestoga tallied 27 percent proficient, Kellom 39 percent and Springville 42 percent.
In an effort to boost those numbers, Washington said, district officials are working with administrators and teachers, focusing on professional development for teachers and participating in special programs. The programs include a partnership that last summer brought students and teachers together with university researchers and a two-week-long space discovery institute.
OPS requires three years of science for graduation and already meets a proposed three-year science minimum the State Board of Education approved last week.
Principals at Omaha South and Springville said their schools have focused heavily on improving reading and math. Success in science depends on being able to comprehend the material and do the math that goes with it.
“It’s too bad, but we’ve kind of left science out,” said Cara Riggs, South’s principal.
The school is working to provide extra help for students, such as study tables where they can get math help during lunch time. South also is working with the local group Building Bright Futures on incentives to curb absenteeism.
Norma Deeb, Springville’s principal, said the school’s intense focus on reading and math show: 89 percent proficient in both. This year, the school is making a push on science.
At Monroe Middle School, Principal Boris Moore his staff is doing with science what it did with reading and math: drilling down to find students who are struggling and getting them extra help.
Contact the writer:
444-1223, julie.anderson@owh.com
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