Roosevelt Elementary combating low test scores through academic programs

Roosevelt Elementary School, which feeds the Roosevelt and Alabama Hill neighborhoods,

has incorporated educational programs to boost test scores and academic performance among students.

Educators at Roosevelt Elementary say that despite the school’s low test scores, students’ academic needs are being addressed through the assistance of various programs.

“Almost every one of the 200 or so students receiving support make solid academic growth annually,” said Steve Morse, Roosevelt’s former principal and the district’s current director of teaching and learning. “However, that doesn’t always show up on the state MSP scores.”

According to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Roosevelt students scored lower on the MSP exam last year in all grade levels and subject areas than the district averages. The MSP exam is a standardized test given statewide to measure students’ progress in third- through eighth-grades.

Despite these statistics, parents at Roosevelt are satisfied with how the school addresses their children’s needs.

“It’s a nice little school,” says Justin Tatu, a Roosevelt parent who appreciates the small class sizes and quality of educators. “The teachers are younger and not as set in their ways. The location gets a bad rap because parts of [the neighborhood] are kind of gritty.”

Matt Herboth, another parent at Roosevelt, also likes the school yet is aware of the issue of low test scores. “I’ve heard rumors,” he said, referring to the school’s reputation. “I knew it wasn’t a high-end school, but it’s in our neighborhood.”

Morse says the district has implemented various programs at Roosevelt over the past 15 years to address low test scores. The most recent programs are Leveled Literacy Intervention, added four years ago, and Reading Recovery, added six years ago. After school help and community tutoring were also introduced in recent years.

Other programs include full-time kindergarten, preschool partnerships, reading and math specialists, and professional development for teachers.

Among the more recent programs is one that promotes arts education and allows all students to have access to it.

“One of the things that makes Roosevelt unique is our Arts Impact program,” said current principal Tom Gresham, who is in his first year in this position.  

Morse says Roosevelt is the only elementary school north of Seattle with this program, which is run through the Puget Sound Educational Service District.  “It infuses the arts into the core curriculum to enhance and enrich the core curriculum,” he said. “Students and families love the drama, visual art, music and dance opportunities.”

Roosevelt’s music teacher Teri McKee says the program helps expand students’ learning in all subject areas.

“I believe that music, drama, and visual art actively engage students and this active engagement transfers to all areas of learning,” she said, adding that she incorporates all of these artistic elements in her music lessons. “Our job is to give the background knowledge to understand, appreciate and continue to engage in artistic pursuits regardless of [the students’] eventual career path.”

Other educational programs at Roosevelt, including Reading Recovery and Leveled Literacy Intervention, are designed to help students achieve state-level standards in reading and writing.

The school also houses a Head Start program which promotes pre-elementary school education for children of low-income families.

Morse says these programs have assisted in student academic growth as Roosevelt has experienced an increase of students from low-income and non-English speaking families.

“[Test scores] have held fairly close to even over the last 10 to 12 years, even though we went from six percent English Language Learners to 18 percent and from about 37 percent poverty to over 60 percent,” he said, adding that the school and district are confident test scores will rise. “Typically scores would drop significantly with those shifts, but we are holding steady.”

Roosevelt qualifies for federal Title I funding, with nearly 61 percent of students receiving free or reduced-price lunches, according to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. This is significantly higher than the district average of 37.9 percent.

 

Greshamsays the matters of poverty and low test scores haven’t caused many families to transfer to another school.

“The number of kids who go to a different school is generally the same as the number who come in,” he says, adding that he hasn’t yet encountered a situation where a family wanted to transfer from Roosevelt due to its reputation.

Morse says a small number of students transferred during his thirteen years as principal.

“Very few move to a new school unless they are too far away or have no transportation. Most kids and families stay due to the positive culture and the culture of inclusiveness for all,” he said, adding that Roosevelt has almost no staff turnover. “Only one teacher voluntarily transferred out in at least the last 13 years and there have been several requests to transfer in every year.”

Tatu has no concerns about the school and values the education his son is getting in his kindergarten class.

“When I was in kindergarten, it was just all playing. He comes home everyday learning something new,” he said, adding that he is not part of the PTA but wants to become more involved at the school as parent volunteers are integrated into the classroom. “I’m thinking about becoming a parent volunteer.”

PTAPresident Kristi Knopp and Vice President Tiffany McNutt did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

The Alabama Hill and Rooseveltneighborhoods feed into the school, which has 422 students according to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.