Report: Rogers Schools Among Top In State

By Caleb Fort

Posted: November 12, 2009 at 4:46 a.m.

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ROGERS — A report from a university research center recognizes f ive Rogers schools for their achievements in test scores in 2009.

The report from the Offce for Education Policy at the University of Arkansas names Bellview Elementary School, Kirksey, Lingle and Elmwood middle schools and Heritage High School.

“We just want to remind them that there are good things happening,” said Caleb Rose, a research associate with the off ce.

Bellview was fourth in the state for the percentage of students who tested either proficient or advanced in literacy and math.

It was top in the region for the performance of its fifth-graders in math and literacy.

Kirksey, Lingle and Elmwood were recognized for 100 percent proficient or advanced scores from students taking an end-ofcourse algebra test.

Heritage was No. 18 in the state for its students’ achievements on end-ofcourse biology tests.

“We’re just very proud of these schools for doing so well,” said Phil Eickstaedt, the Rogers School District executive director for secondary curriculum and instruction.

The report states the schools that fared best tend to be in aft uent areas.

“It is worth noting that many of the schools in the top 20 serve relatively advantaged student populations,” the report states.

For example, 6.31 percent of Bellview’s students are eligible for free or reduced lunches, compared to 84.03 percent of the students at Grace Hill Elementary, which did not make the top 20 in any of the report’s categories.

“There is a connection between socioeconomic status and the life experiences that students have been able to have,” Eickstaedt said.

Those experiences, such as trips and cultural events, can give students an edge on standardized tests, he said.

The report includes a category for schools serving high-poverty areas that did well in the tests.

“Although there is this unfortunate truth, there are schools that are beating it,” Rose said.

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