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News Release - 4/19/05

SMART INTERMEDIATE TEACHERS ‘HIT THE ROOF!”

How do you get nearly 100 seventh grade students to raise their ITBS test scores? Give them the chance to put their teachers through a night of misery.

The seventh grade students on Team 7 West at Smart Intermediate School in Davenport, Iowa were offered a unique opportunity. Their teachers told them that if they could raise their overall ITBS test scores at least 5% in the areas of reading and math, then the six core teachers on their intermediate school team would spend one night sleeping on the roof of their school building. Those teachers will be making the trek upwards on May 5th.
The students and teachers worked hard to prepare for the tests and after the scores were examined, the students met their goal and then some. In the area of reading they raised their scores an overall 5%. In the area of math they raised their scores an overall 16%. As an added bonus, in the area of science the students raised their scores 28%. Now their six core teachers, Kim Bates—Math, Jeff Corman—English/Language Arts, Pam Hobart—Health and Skills, Brian Meaney—Global Studies, Lynn Meyers—Science, and Kamie Swanson—Special Education will spend one night sleeping on the roof of their school building.

On Thursday, May 5, following the end of the regular school day, the students on 7 West will ceremoniously usher their teachers to the roof of Smart Intermediate School where the six of them will spend the night fighting the elements. The next morning, the teachers will prepare for school, as best they can, and teach a full day’s worth of classes. Surely the teachers will have some interesting stories to tell and surely the students will want to hear every one of them.

“ITBS tests scores are serious business, but we just wanted to put some fun into the situation,” said Science teacher Lynn Meyers.

To contact the teachers on 7 West, call Smart Intermediate School at 323-1837 and ask to speak with Jeff Corman.