What are Educational Standards?

For over a century student learning in the United States could be best defined by the age old "standards" of reading, writing, and arithmetic. A student's success, and indirectly the success of the teacher, was defined or graded by how well a student could read and write and do mathematical computation. This process of teaching and learning was easy to understand, whether you were the student, teacher, or parent.

Over the last two decades there has been a national push to have a more definitive expectation of what constitutes student achievement and instructional effectiveness. In more recent years this has become known as the Educational Reform Movement.

In order to have a consistent standard of educational measurement it became necessary to establish a more in-depth and descriptive explanation of what was to be taught and what was to be learned. This was the foundational underpinning of the new educational standards movement. Educational standards define the knowledge and skills students should possess at critical points in their educational career. Educational standards are the learning goals for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. Educational standards help teachers ensure their students have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful, while also helping parents understand what is expected of their children. Educational standards are the new benchmarks for success or failure.

The goal of standards-based education is that all students receive a meaningful education that serves essentially as a road map to ensure they can read, write, and do basic mathematics at a level necessary to become contributing members in our American society. To avoid a surprising failure at the end of high school, standards trickle down through all the lower grades, with regular assessments through a variety of means. Standards are now the guiding expectations in elementary, middle, and high school educational programs.

Standards in essence ensure that no student, regardless of socio-economic influence, age, race, gender, cultural background, disability, or family situation will ultimately be exempt from learning the required material, although it is understood that individual students may learn in different ways and at different rates.

Over the last 20 years, instead of being written by textbook publishers, education professors, or influenced by tradition, standards have been developed on a local, regional, and national level through a more politically influenced discussion process that focuses on what students need to learn to be competitive in the job market. Standards have become the academic expectation, but they have not addressed the issues of social or personal growth that are also critical to the development of well-rounded and productive students.

The most recent discussion on educational standards is more specific and has truly addressed the question of who should be responsible for standards - state or national agencies. The latest attempt to move standards-based educational practice and outcome expectations was focused more on a set of nationally defined standards. These are best known as the Common Core standards. The Common Core standards were developed almost exclusively by a nationally established group of education, business, and government stakeholders whose goal was to bring the American public education system into alignment. While the intent may or may not have been to improve educational practice and student achievement through a nationally established set of standards, the result was a minimum level of local or state involvement in the development process. This left the door open for criticism and objection about the lack of local control.

While initially 47 states signed on to use the Common Core standards to drive educational practice, over the last several years several states are reassessing to what extent, if any, the Common Core standards would be used. Indiana has just recently elected to move away from the Common Core and to move to a set of standards that are developed and endorsed by local business, education, and government stakeholders.

Through all of this discussion and continual banter as to right verses wrong, good verses bad, or national verses local control, I can promise you only two consistent outcomes. First, these discussions of which standards are most appropriate, developed by which group of concerned citizens, and used by which students will always be ongoing and spirited. Secondly, I can promise you that here in Lebanon Community Schools it will be dedicated and committed teachers and parents working with students in safe and secure school buildings that will be the unwavering "Core of Care" that will always be part of our educational standards.

 

Dr. Robert L. Taylor

Superintendent of Schools

Lebanon Community School Corporation

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick. In Spain it's currently the end of their school day, but we're stuck back in America starting school! We are waiting for that momentous ringtone that marks the calling upon our class by theirs. We are as stiff as boards as Skype loads up and we see the first sight of a classroom in Spain.

"Hello?" asked Candela, the fourth grade teacher in Spain. Candela is a good friend of Mrs. Lahrman. Mrs. Lahrman's past two classes have also Skyped with Candela's class. Candela is a 4th grade English teacher and teaches in an all-girls school. We were surprised by Candela's students' English. Their English was as fluent as a hydraulic brake line! We've started Skyping this year to learn about each other's cultures. We were surprised because people in Spain have a more extemporaneous culture, like they're more laid back. They don't worry about things beforehand. You should have seen Candela's class. They were jumping and hopping around like nobody's business.

Both classes had fun learning about each other's cultures. One thing we learned is that a lot of 4th grade girls from Spain like to ride horses. We also have learned that they have similar pets that we have. I can't wait to Skype with Spain again. We had fun!

Clubs give teachers time for 1-on-1

This past fall, Harney Elementary implemented a new plan to give classroom teachers additional time to work with students of enrichment or remediation, while providing students an extra opportunity to expand their skills and round out their talents - it's called Clubs! Clubs provide students with an opportunity to choose how they would like to spend their time. Students may choose a club where they can apply an existing skill or learn a new one.

Club time is held during recess every afternoon for third, fourth, and fifth grade. With a rotating recess schedule for teachers, this opens up time for teachers to work with individual students, or small groups of students, to enhance needed skills. The rest of the class chooses to attend a club in art, computers, music, physical education, or recess. There is also a Catch-up Club in the Media Center for students who need a quiet place to work.

The Fit Club and Team Sports Club have provided students with an opportunity to have fun, get fit, and learn about the importance of being a team player. Students have worked out with an Xbox, played team sports such as kickball, and took part in a running club.

The Art Club has given students a chance to pursue the types of craft projects that just can't be done in a regular art class. Students have been making tie-dyed posters, Christmas ornaments, 3-D sculptures, collages, and paintings. This spring, they will be making a flag, a kite, and some great bouncy, blubbery stuff called Gak.

Music offerings this year have included a drumming club, xylophone club, and piano club. The Xylophone club had students learning and performing both patriotic songs and Christmas songs. Club members had the opportunity to perform at Harney's Veteran's Day program as well as the winter music program. During the spring semester, the piano club is learning basic piano skills, playing musical patterns, and playing together in a musical ensemble.

Members of the Computer Club are working to enhance their computer skills. Club offerings have included writing a school newsletter, designing Christmas cards, gift tags, and posters, and are now learning how to create animation and electronic games.

A new round of clubs begins every six weeks, giving students the opportunity to choose a different club five times during the school-year. Needless to say, Clubs have been a win-win proposition for Harney staff and students.

Change the Play at Harney Elementary

Lets inspire kids to be the quarterback of their own health-a mindset that can be carried through adulthood.

Barnes & Noble Book Donation

Rhonda Power & her son Matthew Bunch came to help distribute books they purchased from Barnes & Noble in Carmel for our students. Each student received four books and more are on the way. Their generosity was most appreciated.

Celebrate Dr. Seuss Birthday Week

Rev. Kyle Drown came and spent the entire day on Friday, March 14th in the media center reading to the children. Earlier that week we had a surprise visit from another "Cat in the Hat". No picture of him since he is quite famous from his travels around the elementary schools!

Regional Science Fair Winners:

HBS Science Fair Winners:

Kindergarten

2nd Place: Rorie Murphy

3rd Place: Nathan Johnson

First Grade

2nd Place: Kade Woolery

Second Grade

2nd Place: Logan Hussung

Third Grade

Research

1st Place: Felicity Franks and Brooklynn Kincade

2nd Place: Christopher Grimes and Devon Wilson

3rd Place: Gracie Archer and Haley Archer

Experiment

1st Place: Sam Piper Brody Woolery

2nd Place: Grace Mancourt

Fourth Grade

Experiment

1st Place: Skyler Corporan and Noelle Effinger

2nd Place: Michael Stanbaugh and Jordan Taylor

3rd Place: Kayden Fine

Honorable Mention: Paxton Dixon

PTO Way To Go: Jaheem Joseph, Ronnie Hale, and Kayleigh Barnard & Emaley Hughes

Fifth Grade

Research

1st Place: Aubri Steele

2nd Place: Jessica Fairfield

Experiment

1st Place: Elizabeth Holmes

2nd Place: Tristan Cottrell

3rd Place: Skylar Bilderback

Honorable Mention: Catherine Jarvis, Khushi Patel, Josh Summers & Joshua King Riner, and Jordan Hines & Blake Bryan 

PTO Way To Go: Skylar Maxwell & Katelynn Lambson, Emerson Wolfbrandt, Allyson Williams, Jennifer Schoentrup

District IV FFA Leadership Contests  

It was an exciting day for the LMS FFA on March 8, 2014. Four of our FFA members represented the middle school at the District IV FFA Leadership Contests at McCutcheon High School. Cody Hollingsworth earned 1st place in the Natural Resources Discovery Degree Demonstration category with his trapping demonstration. Maci French and Josi Greene earned 3rd place with their Animal Science Demonstration on earnotching. In addition, Cora Dale placed 2nd with her speech in Discovery Degree Public Speaking. With his first place finish, Cody will represent LMS at the State FFA Convention at Purdue in June.

On March 18th, members of our FFA Parliamentary Procedure team competed at district competition at McCutcheon High School. Team members have 15 minutes to conduct opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies along with utilizing parliamentary procedure to conduct a meeting. The team now advances to section competition on April 16th! This is the first time for an LMS FFA parliamentary procedure team to clinch a district title! Team members include:

Pictured (Back Row; l to r) Allie Kirkman; Erica Moore; Laura Francisco; Cat in the Hat (Mr. Charles Tait, Assistant Superintendent); Justin Woodard; Tre' Hurst; Harley Caldwell; Collin Merkel; Damon Jones; Staci Cline; Devin Isenhower; Tyler Boggess; Mrs. Jennifer Tait, AVID Elective Teacher; Ally Reagan (Front Row; l to r) Chelsea White; Abby Osborne; Krista Marsh; Andie Wethington; Alex Echeverria; Paige West

On Monday, March 3, 18 AVID 11 students were invited to Perry-Worth Elementary to help celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday. The students were greeted by one of Dr. Seuss' most famous characters, Cat in the Hat. The AVID 11 students started the celebration off by singing Happy Birthday to Dr. Seuss over the intercom and then headed to classrooms to read a favorite Dr. Seuss book.

Congratulations to the Lebanon High School Percussion Ensemble for placing 3rd at the Indiana Percussion Association competition at Greenfield Central High School. This is the first time in school history that a percussion ensemble from Lebanon High School has competed in an organized competition. The ensembles are divided into movement (drumline and marching) and concert (stand and play) classes. The LHS Percussion Ensemble competed in the concert class, and represented LHS with great pride by delivering an outstanding performance.

Discovery Degree Demo (Plants/Natural Resources)  

Discovery Degree Demo (Animals/Food Science)

Discovery Degree Public Speaking

Ag Sales

Quizbowl

Prepared Public Speaking

Job Interview

Freshman Public Speaking

Creed

Nikki Wynne, 1st

Essay

Plant and Soil Science Demo

Natural Resources Demo

Horticulture Demo

Ag Mech Demo

Food Science Demo

L to R: Ashley Syferd, Nicole Wynne, Sarah McIntyre, Alyssa Hankins, Abby Abbott, Sandra Malagon, Jessica Mars, Arnela Cajlak

The Lebanon FFA Senior Parliamentary Procedure team competed at district competition earlier this month. Members worked together as a team to effectively conduct a chapter meeting while utilizing proper parliamentary procedure and presenting logical, realistic and convincing discussion. Both novice and senior teams made history within the Lebanon FFA by walking away with first place honors for the first time in the program's 10 year history! Teams will compete at Section competition in April! 

Lebanon High School Life Skills Class has a concert on April 1st at 7pm in the LHS Auditorium. Come join us for an evening of great music and inspiration.

The LHS Introduction to Construction classes are ready to begin our utility shed projects. Cost is $600 for an 8' x 8' shed and $750 for an 8' x 12' shed. Both designs are 7'6" tall in front and 6'6" tall in back, with 6'6" of headroom in front. Doors are two, 30" doors for a 60" opening. Treated flooring with 2x4 wall construction, 16" on center. We will roof the shed with asphalt shingles, but you must finish the siding (paint or vinyl). Here's how it works:

1. If you are interested, make a $100 down payment to secure your shed. Checks can be made out to "LHS Print Shop". Sheds will be constructed on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. You will have to provide transportation, as the sheds are built in a "modular" design.

3. A set of plans will be included if you want to raise it yourself, but for an extra $100 cash we will raise the walls for you.

4. If delivery becomes available it's an extra $20 cash at delivery.

5. The shed pictured resides outside the construction lab, if you want to take a look.

INDIANAPOLIS - Instead of making a tragic mistake behind the wheel, Indiana high school and college students are being encouraged to put their smartphones to good use by urging others to "Drive Now. TXT L8R".

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Department of Labor, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police have partnered to award $5,000 scholarships to students who compose the most creative and viral social media posts on Twitter, Instagram and Vine.

Keeping one's hands on the wheel and eyes on the road is not just a safe driving practice - it's the law. The majority of text message citations and warnings issued by Indiana State Police in 2013 have been for drivers under age 30.

Students may register their public Twitter accounts and read contest rules at www.txtl8r.in.gov. Entries must be posted during April, which is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and use the hashtag #TXTL8RIN. Social media posts that are composed while driving will be disqualified.

High school and college entries will be awarded separately, and up to three students may work together on the same social media account. The state will deposit $5,000 into the 529 college savings plans for the winners of five categories:

1. Twitter - most tweets, retweets and favorites

2. Vine - most likes

3. Vine - most creative

4. Instagram - most likes

5. Instagram - most creative

CONTACTS:

David Bursten, Indiana State Police: 317-232-0064 or email 

Will Wingfield, Indiana DOT: 317-233-4675 or email 

Josh Gillespie, Bureau of Motor Vehicles: 317-233-5323 or email  

Bob Dittmer, Department of Labor: (317) 234-3793 or email  

LHS CONTACT:

Bethany Mineart, LHS Guidance Department: 765-482-0400 or email  

The 2014 Major Saver Discount Card campaign launched in the Lebanon elementary schools on Thursday, March 20th and will run through Wednesday April 2nd. Students received the sales packets on Thursday, March 20th and will be selling the $15 Buy One, Get One Free offer cards until Wednesday, March 26th. Proceeds from the sales of the discount cards directly support the participating schools and the activities of the Lebanon Educational Foundation.

The 2014 participating businesses include: Caribbean Cove, Railer's IGA, Pizza Hut, Milky Way, McDonald's, Buffet King, Papa John's, Dairy Queen, Denny's, Parky's Smokehouse, Domino's, Arby's, Game Depot, White Castle, Wendy's, Royal Cleaners and Little Caesar's.

Major Saver cards can be purchased via cash, check or online at www.majorsaver.com from local elementary school students. Major Saver cards purchased online can be credited back to a particular student and school. All cards purchased online will be mailed directly to the customer. Please consider purchasing a Major Saver card from a Lebanon elementary school student.

The elementary students celebrated Dr. Suess birthday on March 3rd with Green Egg and Ham. The students love celebrating special days at school.

During ISTEP week food service offered FREE breakfast to all students taking the Test.

The students and staff at the High School are loving The Crossroad Café. The Café offers a variety of Salads, Hummus & Pita Chips, Fresh Fruit Cup, specialty drinks and much more.

  

On February 25, 2014, in the Herman B Wells Community Center the Grand Re-Opening of Lebanon High School occurred. It was a time of celebration and congratulations. There were many representatives present representing different phases of the project. Mayor Huck Lewis was the guest speaker and other special platform guests included Dr. Robert Taylor, Superintendent, Mr. Alan Cragun, former school board president, David Herr current school board member and Bob Ross, Executive Director of Operations. The attendees were entertained by the high school Charisma group followed by the official cutting of the ribbon and declaring Lebanon High School open. The afternoon concluded with the Charisma group performing and with tours of the building. It was a great afternoon of sharing thoughts about the project and acknowledging many of the attendees who played an important role in making the dream of a 21st Century high school become a reality.