West Valley sees student achievement improving

As the first half of the school year draws to a close, administrators and faculty at West Valley High School are taking stock of the improvement they see in student grades.

“Is the achievement period working? It’s hard to define,” West Valley Principal Emmett Koerperich said. “My gut tells me it is, but are the right kids using it?”

Koerperich said he sees students in extracurricular activities, like cheerleading, football, band and athletics, using the achievement period to do homework, which was part of the intention of the period. He added that the school is still targeting students getting Ds and Fs in classes and tutoring them in those subjects during achievement.

“Achievement is causing teachers to look at teaching and grading practices,” Koerperich stated.

He said teachers have to ask themselves whether students are getting a D or F because they don’t understand the material or because they aren’t turning in their homework.

Koerperich added one of the things his campus is working on is continuing to help students master concepts and skill attainment. In a recent meeting, Koerperich received proof of how achievement is helping students on his campus.

In 2010, 5.6 percent of students were receiving an F grade in one or more of their classes that number has dropped to 3.5 percent.

Last year 8.4 percent of students had a D in one or more of their classes and that has dropped to 5.1 percent in 2011. Koerperich said 65 percent of West Valley students have a 3.0 GPA or above and he is hoping to see that number rise by the end of the year.