Newspapers / The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, … / Jan. 18, 1979, edition 1 / Page 1
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I THE PE W? ? ? r ? ? IMANS WEEKLY Volume 3S,No.3 Hertford, Perquimans County, N.C., Thursday, January M, 1979 15 CENTS Competency Tests Scores Released "v Results Please Harrell Ill By Tony Jordan We are pleased at our results (in the Competency Test). This does not mean that we are not concerned with the students that didn't pass," James P. Harrell, superintendent of Perquimans County Schools, said Jan. 10 after state-wide results were released the day before. Of the 123 juniors at Perquimans High School who took the test last fall, only 19 failed the mathematics on of the test and 17 failed the ing. The percentage of students who did fail was considerably lower than what had been expected for the entire Northeastern North Carolina area as well as the county. The Competency Testing Program was legislated in the 1877 General Assembly and provided that the tests be administered to all 11th grade students in the state as a re quirement for graduation. The tests are basic skills tests of leading and mathematics designed to measure minimum competency, not ideal achievement. It is impor tant to note that in addition to pass ing the tests, a student must still meet local and state Boards of Education standards. According to Harrell, surprisingly good results from Perquimans Coun ty is attribued to "school ad ministrators, teachers, and others that had worked very hard with students who were identified as like ly to have difficulty in passing." Remedial labs along with the hard work also pUyed a part in the good scores. These labs were possible through ESEA, Title I and CETA grants as well as funds directly from -Compentency Testing Program. I fGov. James Hunt stated to the peo ? 4>te of North Carolina on television Jan. 9 that he would ask the General Assembly to add $3.4 million for remedial work across the state. ,yr? I ? .. ' ?; ? Four and a half million dollars has already been allocated to the program. Statewide, 10 percent of public school juniors failed the reading test while 14 percent failed the mathematics. The fact that a rural county, such as Perquimans, was only slightly higher than the average for the state should tell the citizens of the county the work the local teachers and administrators are doing. In the 17 public school systems that make up the 15-county Northeastern area, only three systems had a better percentage of passing students than Perquimans County. Dare County led the state with a near perfect passing record. Currituck County and Greenville Ci ty Public School Systems were the others that scored better. For those who didn't pass the tests, they get another chance this spring. In their senior year of school, the student gets an additional two more chances to pass. If he or she has not passed the test then, they receive certificates of attendance rather than high school diplomas. But even then, if he can go back and pass the test, he will receive and get the diploma up until the age of 21. The tests require students to apply basic reading and arithmetic skills to tasks that will face them in a cou ple of years as they enter the work ing force or continue their educa tion. On the test were questions ranging from fractions to following directions on a road map. Harrell pointed out that the areas in which the student missed would be closely exaimined by the teacher in the remedial lab. Parents are sent copies of their ehUd'sfailura ? they may be corrected with help in the home. Concerning Hunt's statement that this should be a community project and not just the school, Harrell said, "We would welcome any individuals or organizations discussing with us the ways in which their help can be used." An interesting statistic to the testing is the importance that the parents background played in whether the student passed or failed. Statewide ninty-eight percent of the children whose parents have an education beyond high school passed the reading test. Only 68 percent of the students whose parents dropped out with a less than 8th grade educa tion passed. County figures on this were not available. Only two percent of the private school students across the state fail ed. But 45 percent of the private schools, mainly church-related schools, refused to give the test. Chowan and Albemarle Academies were among those that did ad minister the test. At Chowan, nine took the test and all passed. Of the 17 juniors at Albemarle, only one failed the reading and no one failed the math. At Perquimans High of the 24 that failed, 14 failed both sections. Those 24 will be the only juniors that will take the test again this spring. There have been discussions on whether teachers simply taught the test in remedial labs. Superinten dent Harrell made it clear that it was not the case in Perquimans. He pointed out the difference in teaching the test and teaching the skills to master the test, the latter being the correct use of the labs. Hunt, speaking on the morning NBC Today show, sakl, "These are our kids and our Aitare. The way in which we response to these scores will tell alot about us and about our future in North Carolina." IUCTION TO BEGIN SOON With the contracts signed, bad [ weather is all that holds up construc tion and renovation at Perquimans High School. The one million dollar project, paid for by existing local funds and state grants, will add 12 new classrooms to the school and renovate library and gym facilities. But, ai you can see, studies at the school continue undaunted by the strange structures located in front of the school,. Of course, pointing a camera at the students is a different story. (Staff photo by Tony Jordan) I New Doctor to Serve Albemarle as o l>*n ui uie cuuuuumng enon to provide Medical Speciality ser vices to the uoderserved areas of Northeastern North Carolina it was announced today that Dr. Walter A. Koerber. a specialist in the field of Dermatology, will be moving to the Eden ton area to join the staff of the Albemarle Family Health Services. Dermatology is a speciality of medicine that involves diseases of skin. Koerber attended West University and graduated de it grade point He attended A JHemcai lmersnip was servea wiin the United States Public Health Ser vices in 1971. Or. Koerber served as a medical officer in the United States Public Health Service in 1972 and 1973. Dr. Koerber is extremely in terested in the Coastal Areas of North Carolina. He received a Na tional Science Foundation Grant to study plant phyciology at Duke University and is interested in Aquatic Plants as well as the Venus Fly Trap. Historical Buildings also are one of his major interests. ;f In 1973 Dr. Koerber ottered Stan ford University to study Deis matology and finished his residency there in 1977. He was a member of _ _ ? me Amercian uouege 01 mysicians and The American Academy of Der matology. He has published uuuiciuua papers in me neia on der matology, and has superior skills as ? Dermatological Surgeon. I Vo School Jan. 19 & 22 J . . j +-r. " Drive Completed A drive to raise $25,000 in local funds for the Perquimans County Restoration Association has been sucessfnlly completed, according to R.L. Stevenson, Finance Chair man. To date, donations have been made totdtaf $28,195 which assures the Association of receiv ing $25,000 in matching funds fiSfrom the North Carolina Legislature. Besides contributions from Perquimans County and businesses, gifts received from friends Stevenson expressed his sincere appreciation to all who have supported this drive and said this should assure the com plete restoration of North Carolina's oldest hoose, the Newbold- White house, by the fall of this year. Future efforts will be made to renovate a caretaker's cottage and build a visitor's center. . This project is one that the residents of Perquimans County should be Ptoud of having in their area. And with the major tourist attraction opening toon, ft will be onetbvt may also be profitable. AADA MEETING - The Albemarle Area Development Association met last Thursday night at the Sound view Restaurant to discuss plans for the upcoming year. Last year's president, wayne Ashley, talked to the group about the importance of the association's ability to reach the people. "For 1979, we need to stress the tangible. We must go back to the county level. Our 10 county area will only be as strong as our counties are," the Hertford resident said. (Staff photo by Tony Jordan) Education Board Meets By Paige Eure The Perquimans County Board of Education met in regular session Monday, Jan. 15, to discuss and take action on several matters. Susan Wjtastaw, Staff Trainee.*** guest of the Board to report on how the Staff Training Program is com ing along. She commented on the Program by saying, "It's the greatest thing that's come along in a long time," and that she was "very pleased with the way things are turning out." A policy was discussed in depth by ,.theBo*rd oa the rules and regula tions of public uie of Perquimans County School facilities, buildings, and equipment. The policy states that "the Per quimans County Board of Education recognizes its responsibility to make , school facilities and equipment available for community use." In j the policy the words "Community activities" are defined as "well planned wholesome functions of general interest." Among some of the regulations that accompanied the policy include that the "principal shall be responsi ble for deciding who may use the facilities and for setting the date and time of such usage." A written re quest for use of a building or facility shall be filed with the principal, a copy going to the superintendent, five (5) school days prior to the date of the planned use. Someone employed by the Board of Education, including the janitor must be "present during the entire time the building is in use." If the janitor is required to be present, the pay rate will be IVi times his regular hourly rate. Anyone who is interested in using any part of the school buildings or facilities should get in touch with the principal of that school. You will then be informed on what step to take to gain usage of the facilities. Mrs. Fronzine Green's, teacher at Perquimans High, resignation was accepted as of January 22. "the Board approved that Eugene Roscoe be employed as Vocational Director through August 1979. In discussing the continuation of Perquimans County Band Program, the board decided to invite Mr. Ziemba to their next meeting. The contract with the N.C. Depart ment of Transportation for $2,550 for 2270 square yards of work at Central Grammar School and 370 square yards of renovation at King Street parking lot was accepted by the Board. Four members of the Board will be represented at the District School Board Meeting on February 7, at Bertie High School. Among the latter items of busi ness was the date of the National School Board Convention, which is to be held on April 20 in Memphis, Fla. The Board members are making their plans to attend this event but, have not made the final arrangements. At the closing of the meeting, the Board began discussing the possi bility of a need to have a policy con cerning the solicitation by school children for school fund-raising ac tivities. ASCS Office Moving The Albemarle Soil Conservation Service will be moving to their new offices in the new County Office Building this Friday. The ASCS, which acts upon federal farm pro grams, is hoping that the citizens will quickly get use to the new sur roundings, stated Thomas Riddick of ASCS. The offices are located on South Church Street near the U.S. 17 Highway Bypass in the triangular roofed building. Riddick informs those who need the service that the ASCS will use the front entrance and the offices are on the right of the entrance. Civic Calendar THURS., JAN. If Alcoholics Anonymous will meet Thurs. at 8 p.m. in the Hertford United Methodist Church. The en trance is located at the corner of Co vent Garden and Dobbs St. Helen Gither Home Extension Club will meet. Hertford Lions Chib meets. Hertford Fire Department meets. Hertford BPW Club will meet. SAT., JAN. 10 The Perquimans County Marching Unit will sponsor a Bottle Drive, from ? a.m. to S p.m. All returnable bottles will be picked up by members of the unit If yon have bot ? * ties you would like picked up there will be a pickup point at Nationwide Insurance, or contact any member of the unit. SDN., JAN. & Snug Harbor Civic League meets. MON., JAN. 22 Perquimans County Rescue Squad meets. TUXS..JAN.S Woodmen of the World will meet . Perquimans Masonic Lodge meets. Hertford Rotary Club meets. BeMdere Hbmemakers meet WED., JAN. 2i Homemakers Exec. Board mttts V ?
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, N.C.)
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Jan. 18, 1979, edition 1
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