End-of-Course Test (EOCT) scores and a new policy for gifted students were under discussion at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, July 15.

The spring EOCTs were administered at LCHS in the following subject areas: Algebra, Geometry, Ninth- Grade Literature, American Literature, Biology, Physical Science, United States History, and Economics.

"The high school did fairly well," said Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. "In seven out of eight subjects, we beat the RESA average, and in six out of eight, we met or exceeded the state average."

CSRA RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) serves the following 12 counties: Lincoln, Wilkes, Taliaferro, McDuffie, Glascock, Warren, Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, and Richmond.

"The test results show that our teachers are teaching the standards," according to Campbell. "I would especially like to highlight the drastic improvement in our Physical Science scores over the past two years.

"In the spring of 2007, 47 percent of our students met or exceeded the state standards in Physical Science. The number jumped to 68 percent in the winter of 2007 and again to 83 percent in 2008."

Campbell attributed the increases to the quality of the teachers and students and to the fact that the school is in the process of implementing a decision to no longer offer the course to freshmen. Instead, the course is only available to sophomores and other upperclassmen, who have more background in math.

"Physical Science is a struggle for schools across the state - most schools traditionally experience a high failure rate," said the assistant superintendent. "So we are ecstatic that we can make this kind of progress in a year and a half."

Another subject worthy of note was Economics.

"Our students scored about 50 points above the RESA average and 34 points above the state average on the Economics end-of-course test," Campbell reported.

"The credit goes to Luanne Beale - a teacher, who truly loves her subject matter. She looked at the standards and taught her students what they needed to know to do well on the test."

In other business, the board heard the first reading of revisions to the Education Program for Gifted Students.

In his comments on the policy, Assistant Superintendent Campbell informed the board that he and the gifted teachers at LCES and LCMS have developed a "Resource Manual for Gifted Education Services" to bring the system in line with the state's new policy requirements.

"We are trying to become more systematic in how we identify gifted students - our goals are to be more specific concerning what tests we will use and the role of teachers and parents in the process. We also specify what instructional delivery model we will offer at each school."

Some of the changes outlined in the manual include:

(1) Students, who score in the top five percent on the CRCT (Criterion- Referenced Competency Test) in Reading and/or Math, are automatically referred for gifted testing.

The ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) was previously used for this purpose.

(2) Parents may now view the Eligibility Report and Classroom Talent Survey forms used by the system.

(3) The policy features a detailed summary of the eligibility criteria for the gifted program. Students must meet the criteria in three of the following four categories: Mental Ability, Achievement, Creativity, and Motivation.

(4) Assessment data gathered and analyzed by a source outside the sys- tem will not be considered as part of the nomination and evaluation process.

(5) The manual contains a makeup work policy for gifted students.

The resource manual may be found on the system's website at www.lincolncountyschools.org.

In further business, the board:

.. Was informed by Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of schools, that LCMS Principal Pam Carmichael was named as one of the 112 "High Performance Principals" in Georgia by Governor Sonny Perdue and the State Department of Education.

The principals were cited for having "overseen dramatic improvements in student achievement in Georgia public schools."

An article on Carmichael appears elsewhere in this issue of The Lincoln Journal.

.. Voted to approve the transfer of a right-of-way deed to the City of Lincolnton, convey a construction and maintenance easement to the city, and sign an intergovernmental agreement, all pertaining to the construction of a road that will serve as an access road to the new school as well as connect Metasville Road to Highway 378.

In essence, the board of education will build the access road in front of its property, with the help of DOT funds, and the DOT will totally fund the cost of extending the road to Highway 378.

The board's contribution to the project is estimated at $419,575.

.. Was informed by Superintendent Edmunds that LCHS will probably not make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) this year because two subgroups failed to meet the enhanced math standards. The school plans to file an appeal.

.. Reviewed the financial reports for the Construction Fund through June 30, 2008; the SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Fund, through June 30, 2008; and the General Fund, from July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008.

Concerning SPLOST monies, Dr. Edmunds noted that collections have increased about $10,000 from FY 2007 to FY 2008.

.. Was informed by the superintendent that representatives of SACS (Southern Accrediting Commission of Colleges and Schools) and the State Department of Education will visit all three schools in September to determine how well the system is implementing the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS).

The visit will take the place of the regular five-year accreditation evaluation by SACS.

.. Voted to accept the low fixed bid of $2.329 per gallon from Dowdle Gas.

.. Voted to grant a request from a parent, moving to an adjoining county, to allow her children to continue to attend school in Lincoln County.

.. Voted to hold an auction to dispose of property no longer serviceable or surplus on Tuesday, August 12, at 10 a.m. at the board's storage facility, located at 1206 Augusta Highway.

The list of items for sale include a bus, multimedia projectors, a video camcorder, television sets, a printer, computer desks, teacher desks, computers, computer monitors, file cabinets, overhead projectors, scales, stools, metal carts, filmstrip projectors, record players, and typewriters.

.. Heard the first reading of revisions to the Capital Assets Policy; the Grades 6-8: Competitive Interscholastic Activities Policy; and the Field Trip Request Policy.

The Interscholastic Activities Policy will allow teachers and administrators at LCMS to review eligibility for athletics at the end of each nine weeks, instead of at the end of each semester.

.. Heard the second reading of revisions to the Heat Index Policy. The revisions call for the heat index limits for athletic practices at LCMS and LCHS to be raised to the following:

(1) 100 to 104 degrees - frequent water breaks, water bottles available, and a 10-minute break each hour.

(2) 105-109 degrees - frequent water breaks, water bottles available at all times, and a 10-minute break each hour. Athletes must practice in shorts. However, helmets are permitted.

(3) 110 degrees and above - practices must be held inside an air conditioned building.

Dr. Robert Williams said he was a little concerned about the temperatures.

According to Superintendent Edmunds, "The recommendation to change the policy came from Dr. Barden (Becky Barden, LCHS principal) and Coach Campbell (Larry Campbell, athletic director). The temperatures found in the policies of everybody around us were a little higher than ours."

The policy was approved as read.

.. Reviewed the following policies: Building and Grounds Management, Emergency Drills, Emergency Closings, Staff Health Insurance Program, Professional Development Opportu- nities, Salary Deductions, Professional Personnel Assignments, Professional Personnel Transfer, Professional Personnel Resignation, Health Examinations, Expenses: Professional Personnel, Professional Organizations, Evaluation/Non-Certificated, Personnel Hiring, and Support Services Personnel Evaluation.

No changes were made in the policies.

.. Voted to enter into executive session to deliberate upon the employment of personnel. Upon returning to regular session, the group voted to approve Gennell Hawn to serve at the will of the board as a paraprofessional at LCHS.

The next regular meeting of the board will be held Tuesday, August 5, at 7 p.m. at the board office on Metasville Road.