Schools receive high marks, advice

CLARINDA, Iowa — Clarinda schools this week received a report card with several high marks.

A team of eight education officials spent the week in Clarinda conducting an accreditation study of the district. The team shared its preliminary findings in an exit interview Thursday.

Each school district in Iowa undergoes an accreditation visit every five years. The last site visit for the Clarinda Community School District was conducted in 2005.

The team leader, Sandra Dop of the Iowa Department of Education, said she was pleased to find amazing things taking place in the district for its students.

“There are far more strengths than recommendations,” Dop said. “People understood that students do come first and their learning is paramount.”

The team met with 12 groups including board members, teachers, parents and students. The groups were asked about seven areas — the vision, mission and goals of the district; leadership; collaborative relationships; learning environments; curriculum and instruction; professional development; and monitoring and accountability.

“When schools focus on those things they do well with students, and teachers are moving forward in what they need to know and do so they can improve all the time,” Dop said.

Colleen Hunt of the Iowa Department of Education said students reported that the library at Clarinda High School is outdated and has limited resources.

“It is recommended the district seek input from stakeholders including, but not limited to, instructional staff, students and parents to create and monitor a comprehensive district K-12 library program,” Hunt said.

Jane Awtry of the Area 13 Education Agency said parents reported good communication and quick responses from teachers and administrators. She said the district uses data to ensure that poor and minority students get a good education, although there were some special education teachers that were working in areas outside of their expertise.

“Some special education teachers at the high school level are assigning grades for students in subjects for which they are not licensed,” Awtry said. “The district must take steps immediately to ensure that only highly qualified teachers are assessing students and assigning grades.”

The Clarinda school district will receive a final report on the accreditation visit in four to six weeks.

« Metro/Region

Share