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<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Sunday, November 30, 2008 Weston named a top 10 school A state report on alternative schools examined test scores and graduation rates, among other factors. By Eric Stevick Herald Writer ARLINGTON -- Weston High School has been named one of Washington's top alternative high schools in a state report. The distinction is based on several factors, including test scores, teacher qualifications, graduation rates, a site visit and interviews with students, teachers, the principal and school district leaders. The BERC Group, a consultant for the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, examined 100 of the state's 188 alternative schools that are not parent partnerships, detention facilities, night schools, special education centers or online learning programs. Weston was listed as one of 10 highest-performing schools studied. "Obviously, it is fun to talk about your school, but then we aren't done yet," Principal Maurene Stanton said. "You always consider yourself a work in progress. You still aren't where you want to be." One of the goals of the report was to identify promising teaching practices among the highest-performing alternative schools. Most of the top 10 reported collaborative relationships with district leaders and control over their own budgets and hiring. Alternative high schools are often a haven for students who struggle academically or socially at traditional high schools, with many students behind on credits by the time they transfer. A 2001 study found that there are about 10,900 public alternative schools and programs nationally that serve more than 600,000 students. In Washington, there are more than 30,000 students attending alternative high schools. Brandon Upthegrove, 17, a Weston senior and the school's student body president, said he is not surprised his school was selected. "I think it is deserving," he said. "I think we work hard. We always try to set our bar at a certain level and reach our goals." Superintendent Kristine McDuffy said BERC is a thorough and well-respected education research firm. "We applaud the efforts of our students and staff and look forward to building upon this success," she said. Typically, alternative school scores on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning are lower than those of traditional schools. Over the past four years, passing rates at Weston were generally below the state average but higher than most of the state's alternative schools. In 2007, Weston had 58.3 percent of its students pass the 10th-grade WASL reading section and 34.6 percent pass the math section, compared with the state average of 80.8 percent in reading and 50.4 percent in math. Weston's 87.5 percent passing rate in writing topped the state average of 83.9 percent. One local alternative school that was not part of the BERC study is Sequoia High School in Everett. "I was disappointed," Sequoia Principal Sally Lancaster said. "I think we would have done well in comparison." Last spring, 83.3 percent of Sequoia students passed the 10th-grade reading WASL, exceeding the 81.3 percent statewide. Its passing rate of 84.8 percent in writing was close to the statewide average of 86.2 percent, and the passing rate was 24.1 percent in math compared with 47.5 percent statewide. Despite Sequoia's not being part of the study, Lancaster is glad the state chose to examine alternative high schools. "It is an interesting study to look at to see how we are doing in comparison to similar schools and to think about what we can do to help improve even more," she said. Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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