Student performance getting better as school year progresses

Student performance at Lake Roosevelt has been going up since the start of the 2020-2021 school year, as students and teachers get used to the routine and gain from more in-person time with teachers, school leaders say.

In the first quarter of school, which ended on Nov. 9, Lake Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School, Principal Kirk Marshlain said, roughly 68% of 7th- through 12th-grade students had one or more Fs and/or no credits.

On Jan. 4, that number dropped to roughly 60%, and at the end of the first semester on Jan. 29, that number went down to 45%. 

"As for possible reasons why we are seeing an upward positive trend, I can only speculate," Marshlain told The Star in an email. "Moreover, I would say that increasing our in-person days from one day per week per pod [group of students] to two days per week, students have more direct interaction with peers and teachers that I believe ultimately boosts their social/emotional well-being."

Marshlain also noted positive results when students went from asynchronous (interacting virtually, not in real time) to synchronous learning (virtual or in-person learning that occurs in real time), which started on Nov. 16. 

Beginning in-person learning on Dec. 7 brought more positive outcomes for students, as well, Marshlain said, as did students participating in sports.

"I also would connect the fact that athletics play a large part in [the improved student performance] because in order to play sports, grades have to be above the minimum passing grade in all classes," he explained. "Athletics is also a major social/emotional outlet for students, and with the return of sports, students probably are more motivated to come in-person."

Athletic Director and Transportation Director Tim Rasmussen also noted seeing morestudent engagement with the return of sports and other activities such as band, and noted a "rich tradition of the community connecting with athletics."

"We're really excited for all the things that we've been able to put together," Rasmussen said. "We're excited to get these kids opportunities, getting them back to school, engaged in the classrooms and playing the sports that they love."

Lake Roosevelt Elementary School Principal Lisa Lakin also noted positive results.

"What I can tell you from my observations and from data review, we are seeing a large amount of students with really big growth," she said in an email to The Star. "Comments from both teachers and students have been very positive, especially regarding low class sizes. Teachers can give more individual instructions/support and students can receive help sooner."

Lakin estimated current class sizes at 6-10 students per teacher, with paraprofessionals assigned to most grade levels, as well, offering more assistance. 

"We are making some really great gains with students," she continued. "The students and staff have settled very nicely into routines, which I also believe to be a contributing success factor."