DC Virgo dropping electives to study for end-of-grade exams

NEW HANOVER COUNTY — New Hanover schools are out for spring break this week, but when the students at DC Virgo Middle School head back to class they’ll face some intense preparation for their end of grade exams.

School’s out this week. When kids go back there’s only one more thing to anticipate: the North Carolina end-of-grade exams.

At the end of every school year students in grades three through eight take the EOGs, to measure their proficiency in reading and math. For some students passing the test is easier said than done.

DC Virgo Middle School Principal Megan Silvey said, “The name of the game is test scores in public education these days. All 50 states have some sort of accountability system, so whether you like it or not you need to play the game and to be successful at the game you need to prepare these students for these end of grade tests.”

For the past six years Virgo has come in short of state expectations in their test scores. So to gear up for this year’s test students will return to class facing a new curriculum. Five weeks of smaller classes will focus entirely on test taking.

“This is sort of a let’s all bring it together and have a culminating, serious, intense program in a short period of time. We will prepare these students for the end of year grade reading and math tests,” Silvey said.

In order to make time for more test-preparation traditional electives like band, chorus and physical education will be taking a back seat.

Teresa Little-Soles’s son Noah started going to Virgo Middle just to play in the band. She questions the school’s plan.

Little-Soles said, “How come this wasn’t done from the beginning of the year? School is 180 days and they are telling us it’s only 25 days that they are doing this. How can 25 days make or break the situation now if this has been going on for several years at Virgo.”

Other parents say if the extra studying will help then it’s a good idea.

Virgo parent Edwina Marbley said, “I’m in favor of it. I think anything that’s going to help our children with their education and make higher score grades on the EOG we as parents should stand the administration at Virgo and just show them that we support what they are trying to do.”

Even after the five weeks of exam preparation Virgo could still fall short of its goals. If that happens the state could send in a team to reevaluate the teaching practices there.

For now parents and school officials will just have to hope for the best on exam day.
If every student improves just three points in proficiency, Virgo will have met its expected growth requirements for the year.