Class Notes 02.26.15

+ Gov. Scott: “We must reduce testing”

Upon the completion of a testing investigation requested by Gov. Rick Scott, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart and Scott recommended a reduction in the number of tests Florida students in public schools are required to take.

“A quality education prepares students to succeed in college or a career so they can pursue their dreams,” Scott said. “It’s important to measure students’ progress and achievements, but we must not lose sight of our goal to provide every student with the very best education. As I have traveled the state, I have heard from parents and teachers that there are too many tests, and I agree.”

The investigation included: a comprehensive inspection of district-level assessments to better understand the number, frequency and purpose; and an evaluation to determine whether the local assessment already was assessed by a statewide, standardized assessment.

+ Area students receive honors

Several West Orange-area students received academic honors following the fall semesters at their respective colleges and universities.

• Two students from West Orange earned dean’s list honors for the fall 2014-15 semester at Rochester Institute of Technology. Ethan Ausburn, of Ocoee, is a fifth-year student in the electrical mechanical engineering technology program in RIT’s College of Applied Science and Technology. Sherin Stephen, of Winter Garden, is a second-year student in the applied computer technology program in RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

• Robert Hartman, of Ocoee, was named to the dean’s list Mercer University’s School of Engineering for the fall 2014 semester. Inclusion on this list requires students to meet rigorous grade point average standards specific to the college or school within the university.

• Several students earned honors from Clemson University.

+ LCA students shine at competition

Several Light Christian Academy students recently competed in the Accelerated Christian Education Junior Regional Student Convention Feb. 6 and 7, in Ft. Pierce.

The two-day convention is an opportunity for students ages 8 to 12 to compete in academic, athletic, and performance events. 

Leah Almanza earned second place in female vocal trio and sixth place in the girls 100-yard dash. Meariah Odom: first place in stringed bowed solo and second place in female vocal trio. Natasha Mercer earned first place in checkers and second place in female vocal solo. Austin Jarvis placed fifth in the boys 100-yard dash.

Jamie Marie Murbach, Blair Raleigh Ray and Chelsea Kaori Uranaka, all of Windermere, were named to the university’s dean’s list for the fall 2014 semester. To be named to the list, the students achieved a grade-point average between 3.50 and 3.99 on a 4.0 scale.

Marissa Pachera Mannella, of Winter Garden, was named to the President’s List at Clemson University for the fall 2014 semester. Mannella is majoring in marketing. To be named to the President’s List, a student must achieve a 4.0 (all A’s) grade-point average.

• Vanessa Pierre, of Winter Garden, was named to the University of Iowa’s dean’s list for the 2014 fall semester. Students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on 12 semester hours or more to be included on the list.

• Wheeler Reiss, of Windermere, a member of the class of 2016 at Washington and Lee University, has earned dean’s list status for the recently ended fall term 2014. Dean’s list status at Washington and Lee represents a term grade-point average of at least 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

• Gabrielle G. Wayland, of Windermere, was named to the University of St. Thomas (St. Paul, Minnesota) 2014 fall semester dean’s list. Students must post grade point averages of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale to be named to the list.