Edgar High sees high participation in ACT

By Kevin O’Brien

Nearly every Edgar High School junior who was eligible to take the annual ACT exam last week did so, according to principal Michael Wilhelm during the school board’s March 20 meeting.

Wilhelm said there were only a few minor hitches on testing day, March 19, and only one student was absent due to illness. Test results on the college preparatory exam are expected back with six weeks, according to administrators.

Under state law, all high school juniors in Wisconsin must take the ACT as part of the state’s standardized testing program, including those with learning disabilities.

Special education director Richard Twomey told the board that standardized testing for special education students is a year-round process that involves regular discussions with each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team. “The IEP determines if or what testing combinations are necessary for each student based on each student’s disability-related needs,” he said.

After IEP meetings are held throughout the year, the IEP case managers meet with district assessment coordinator Jamie Koehler to go over the IEP goals and progress, which are then reported to the Wisconsin DPI. Twomey said special education teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators are all required to attend the required assessment training.

“Beyond that, there’s been a lot of behind-thescenes work to make sure we develop testing schedules to meet the needs of each individual student,” he said. “All of the students, for the ACT and pre-ACT, are finished or close to being finished.”

Other business

n High school guidance counselor Melissa Doll spoke to the board about an ongoing effort to update the district’s Academic and Career Planning program, which helps students develop career goals so they are ready to pursue higher education or training once they graduate. Doll said the high school has had a career readiness program for years now, but certain updates need to be made to satisfy the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

n The board accepted the retirement of fourth grade teacher Louise Hornung, who has worked at the district for 21 years.

n Superintendent Cari Guden told the board that Shelly Borchardt and Riley Schreiner have been hired as longterm substitute teachers.

n The board approved the hiring of Patrick Heidmann as a daytime custodian, Megan Lassa as middle school FFA advisor and John Peterlik and Mark Schroeder as co-coaches for middle school baseball.