BG board updated on testing schedule

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Bowling Green’s school board got a crash course in the upcoming state-mandated tests for
students.Todd Cramer, executive director of teaching and learning, on Tuesday ran through all the tests
students third grade to senior year will take starting next school year.The requirements are part of the new
Common Core standards, which sets a uniform benchmarks for reading, writing and math.Cramer went through the
2014-15 testing schedule, pointing out tests will last a minimum of 45 minutes and a maximum of 105
minutes.He said third-graders will spend 18 hours completing state-mandated assessments, and that next
year’s sophomores should be ready to take over 20 tests before they graduate."It really seems nearly
impossible" to get all the required testing done in a year, said Superintendent Ann McVey.Jeff Dever,
high school principal, said given the testing requirements and the number of days students are in school,
they’ll be tested one out of every 10 days.Cramer said educators are sharing their concerns with local
legislators."There still may be changes to this," he stated.Board member Paul Walker asked whether
the new standards are measuring teacher or student abilities."It depends on who you ask," replied
Cramer.The board also heard from eighth-grade Team Endeavor teachers about a recent "Survivor"
project they did.Students worked in small groups to create a device that could be thrown to rescue a raft to
get off a deserted island.Students had three dogs, a cell phone and Rice Krispie treats, along with other
items, at their disposal.Teachers Mandy Pasley and Pam Day described how students used problem solving and
team building to come up with a solution.They had to throw a rope 15 meters, catch the raft, and drag it
back.Two or three groups came close, but no one was able to pull the raft back."It’s fun to not give
them very much direction and see what they do," said Pasley.Board members also thanked Eric Myers for
his 12 years on the board. Myers chose not to run for reelection in November. Tuesday was his last meeting
on the board."If I could change anything it would be to tell the state and federal governments to get
their hands off public education," Myers stated. "We know how to educate our kids."The board
also accepted a $1,000 donation to the drama club from Victoria Johnson "in thanks for the confidence
and inspiration she gained as a student"; and $1,000 from Lubrizol each for the high school and middle
school science programs.Terry Mulgrew, high school teacher, reported that Sarah Caserta has started a
Fiction Addiction group that meets monthly and give students a chance to choose a book for the group to read
and discuss. The group is currently reading "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green.Mulgrew also
said Key Club and Student Activity Board are asking students to donate formal dresses and ties which will be
sold for the school’s next formal dance.All proceeds will go to Eliminate, a charity that supplies doses of
vaccine to women of child-bearing age in order to eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus.

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