Lovell students score above state in 22-23 WY TOPP

Lovell WY TOPP scores were discussed in the October 9 regular meeting of Big Horn County School District No. 2. Lovell students scored above the state in most subject areas during last year’s WY TOPP assessment.

Lovell third graders were found to be 43.94 percent proficient or advanced in math in 2022-2023, below the state average of 48 percent. They scored 51.53 percent percent proficient or advanced in reading, just below the state average of 53.52 percent. 

Last year’s fourth graders had 51 percent of students score above proficient in English language arts, 55 percent score above proficient in math and 48 percent percent score above proficient in science. Both ELA and math were above statewide scores, with science falling just behind a 50.23 percent statewide average.

Fifth grade had a strong showing in the WY-TOPP last year. The class scored a 66.67 percent in ELA, 12 points above the state average, and a 58.82 percent in math, five points above the state average.

The sixth graders of last year scored 52.63 percent above proficient in ELA , below a 59.84 percent average statewide, but topped the state in math, scoring a 54.67 percent, three points above the state average.

In the seventh grade, 56.14 percent of students scored above proficient, two points above the state average, and a whopping 68.42 percent scored above proficient in math, significantly above a 49.08 percent average statewide.

Scores remained significantly higher than statewide average in the eighth grade. 74.51 percent of students scored proficient or above in ELA, 76.47 percent reached the mark in math and 64.71 percent scored proficient or higher in science. All were 10 points or higher than the statewide average.

Good news continued in the high school, with 70.77 percent of students scoring proficient or higher in ELA in the ninth grade, nearly 20 points above the statewide average, and 50.77 percent scoring proficient or above in math, 10 points above the state average.

In the tenth grade, 58 percent of students scored proficient or above in ELA and math, with the state scoring 46.34 percent proficient in ELA and 56.27 percent proficient in math. The tenth grade was just below the statewide average in science, with 52.63 percent scoring proficient and above, just below a 53.44 percent state average.

“Teachers and staff are actively using these results to improve instruction and increase student success,” Superintendent Doug Hazen said in the meeting. “We have identified the areas that we need to work on.”

Policy review 

The Lovell School Board had the realization that they had been approving new policy contrary to the methods set in their existing policy this month.

The district has handled updates to their existing policy and the creation of entirely new policy in two different ways. While updates have only required two readings, new policies have gone through three readings until implemented.

But, while reviewing the district’s policy adoption policy, Hazen said he discovered the policy only requires two readings for all policy and even allows for the board to implement policy after one reading in unusual circumstances.

“Under unusual circumstances, the Board may temporarily approve and place into effect a policy to meet unusual conditions,” the policy reads “However, the above procedure (two readings) is required before the policy shall be considered final.”

“This shows the importance of reviewing policy,” Hazen said. “Some of these policies haven’t been reviewed for an extended period of time,  and you do discover things you didn’t know.”

The board approved minor changes to the policy adoption and policy revision policies on first reading. No language has been changed, but their placement and presentation within the district’s policy book has.

The board also approved a revised broadcasting of meetings policy on second reading, which states that the board has the option to record meetings but is not required to, mirroring current district practice. The board also approved a simplified health and wellness policy on second reading, which shortened the policy from multiple pages to one page while not significantly changing the substance, according to Hazen. 

The board finally approved a staff resignation incentive, granting staff $1,000 if they announce their resignation before December 15, $500 if before January 15 and $250 if before February 15.

“Knowing who is leaving early really creates a big difference in our ability to find new staff,” Hazen said. The policy has been in place for several years, Hazen said, but requires board approval to renew.