I It 's unfortunate that there has to be any aspersions cast on testing in general and the recent end of grade math test scores in particular as the result of questions arising about the latter. I believe it's fair to say that testing is necessary in order to be able to pinpoint those areas of academics that might require special attention As for the recently released end of grade math test scores.-that presents a little more concern That everyone associated with the Public Schools of Robeson County was jubilant about those scores was perfectly understandable since the scores indicated a substantial jump over comparable scores from a year ago The students involved were, of course, excited over their success. Their teachers were proud that their students had dome so well since it had to reflect, at least somewhat, on the work they had done with them in the classroom. It goes without saying that the administration also basked in their success. Then, the other shoe dropped as reports started coming in from all across the state questioning how armed at When Ihc test was fieldtested. students who took it obviously had taken it too lightly since the) knew that poor scores weren't going to be counted against them The result was that a relatively small number of them passed it Based on those results, the state designed a test that it thought would produce the desired results of properly grading students so they could receive a desirable grade level score What happened, though, is that, when they took the official test, they were more serious in their effort and their scores climbed. Whereas it had been expected that about 15% of students taking the multiple choice test would fail, actually nearly all passed it. Now the slate is studying the results and trying to decide how to remedy the situation. While we're waiting to sec how the problem is dealt w ith. I'd like to point something out to our students and teachers. Given the fact that both our reading and writing scores also went up and there has been no question raised about their validity. I would like to think that it 's not that much of an e.xag it could be that these tnath scores should'vc jumped the way they had w hen compared to last year s When Raleigh came up with the answer to that question- that the powers that be had designed the test in such a way that a larger number of students than expected had passed- confusion and disappointment. not unexpectedly set in. The next question was. then, why had it been designed the way it had been Apparently it had to do w ith the way that the passing grade was gcration to think that our math scores likewise would have increased albeit maybe not as much as the results indicated I believe that, thanks to the efforts of our teachers, our students, our principals as well as people in the central office, all scores have been shown an upward trend in all testing and neither of those groups should feel badly about the questionable results in math We're moving upward and we should be proud of that Lumbee Tribal Edlers to hold 7th Annual Summer Gathering Lumbce Tribal Elders Council presents their 7th Annual Summer Traditional Spiritual Gathering - June 15th. 16th, & 17th. at the North Carolina Indian Cultural Center in Pembroke. North Carolina Sunrise. Noon & Sunset Sacred Fire Ceremony. Drug free- Pot Luck Meals and Barter Only each day Everyone Welcome- Reviving Yesterday to Create Tomorrow. ?? am In certain parts of northern Europe, it was believed the man In the moon carried a tar bucket, which accounted for different marks on the moon as seen from earth. Electric fans available RALEIGH? Operation Fan-Heat Relief, a special project that pro\ ides electric fans to the elderly, is now underway across North Carolina. The fans arc purchased through donations from Duke Energy Foundation ($40,000), Carolina Power and Light Company ($20,000). North Carolina Power ($2,500) and Yalassis Communications, Inc. ($250). Many counties also accept private donations from individuals or civic groups to purchase additional fans The project, which began in 1986. is managed through the Division ol Aging in die North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Karen Gottovi, director of the Division of Aging, said the elderly are particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion in the summer heat and humidity, "Chronic health problems in older persons require medication which affects the body's natural defenses against heat.' said Gottovi. "These fans provide (tic comfort and relief to cope with the heat and allow an older person to remain healthier in his or her own home." Last summer. 4071 older adults received fans through Operation FanHeat Relief Older residents across NC who meet the program's guidelines may obtain fans through local council or county departments on aging. Operation Fan-Heat Relief runs through September of each year. For more information on the program, contact your local aging office or Reggie Durham at the Division of Aging, (919) 733-0440 ? While he Is known for his science fiction, French writer Jules Verne also wrote a novel about the American Civil War called North Against South. The cooling capacity of an afr condltioner Is measured In BTUs or British Thermal Units. One BTU Is the amount of energy required to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. I. ArneruVi Ruidenrul Mori^e Source I Ginger B. Walt man I Loan Officer 551! Capital Center Drive Suite 104 Raleigh. NC 27606 Office 919.816.9.194 Fa* 919.816.9391 Pager 800 290.5199 Toll Free 877.816.9394 Home Office 919.550.6367 4811 FSyetteville Rd. (910) 739-3323 lumberton, MC 28358 OnOMCINC Y GAR?C HI R., John I. Adams, O.D. Katherine S. Harris, O.D. Charles L. Clark, O.D. Carolyn Marks, Licensed Optician Family Practice and Contact Lenses X3^VIedicine Shoppe'4 David Hester, R.Ph. 1C2 N. Patterson St. Maxton, NC 28364 On the corner of Patterson and Martin Luther King (910) 844-3100 The Pharmacy That's All About Your Health5*1 BAD, BAD CREDIT? Credit Problems? Bad Credit Record? I can help you... 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