<sh>Black Students Gain on Stanford 9
<bt>Black students in the Fairfax County Public Schools achieved an aggregated gain of 64 points on the Stanford Achievement Test Ninth Edition (Stanford 9 TA) administered in the fall, compared with the aggregated gain of 40 points for white students. In addition, Asians' scores increased 33 points and Hispanics' scores decreased by 6 percentile points. Since the inception of the Stanford 9 TA testing in 1999, all ethnic groups in the school system have shown increased achievement and are now scoring above the 50th percentile on most of the tests.
The black population showed the most significant gains, with increases of three or more percentile points in nine testing areas. Asian and white populations scored at or above the 50th percentile on all tests.
Black students scored at or above the 50th percentile on 16 of the 30 tests reported. Last year, black students scored at or above the 50th percentile on 11 of 30 tests, six of 30 tests in 2000 and on three of the 30 tests in 1999.
Hispanic students scored at or above the 50th percentile on 22 of the 30 tests reported. Last year, Hispanic students scored at or above the 50th percentile on 21 of the 30 tests, on 14 of the 30 tests in 2000 and on 16 of 30 in 1999.
The Stanford 9 TA is required by the Virginia Department of Education as part of the state's assessment program. It was administered in grades four, six and nine in October 2001.
<sh>Teacher Job Fair
<lst>Fairfax County Public Schools will be holding a teacher job fair Saturday, March 2, from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road in Vienna.
The school system is looking for teachers with strong academic backgrounds and is actively recruiting teachers, librarians and counselors for the 2002-03 school year. Teachers in critical-field areas who make it through the selection process will be offered early contracts and a $1,000 signing bonus.
The March fair is for secondary and special-education teachers. Registration for this fair runs from Feb. 6-26. Call 703-750-8533 to schedule an interview.
<sh>TJ Students Make Semifinals
<lst>Margaret Camilla Barusch, Mee-Jung Jang, Jina Kim and Jee-Hyun Lyu, all students at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, have been selected as semifinalists in the 2001-02 Intel Science Talent Search.
Each of the students will receive a $1,000 prize, and the school will receive $1,000 for each semifinalist, to support science and math programs.
Three hundred semifinalists were chosen from 1,562 applicants. Next, 40 finalists will be selected and invited to attend the Science Talent Institute in Washington, D.C., March 6-11. The research projects can be submitted in any of the science disciplines, including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, social science and biology.
<sh>Career and Transition Night
<bt>Middle- and high-school special-education parents and students are invited to a Career and Transition Services Night, Wednesday, March 6, at Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, from 7-9 p.m. Representatives from the Fairfax County Pubic Schools Career and Transition Services will be available to provide information and answer questions. For more information, call the Parent Resource Center at 703-204-3911.
<sh>NOVEC Scholarship Offered
<lst>Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is offering $1,000 scholarships to qualified high-school seniors living in each of the counties served by NOVEC including Fairfax. The student's home must be served by NOVEC.
A single $1,000 scholarship will be awarded in Clarke, Fauquier, Loudoun and Stafford counties and the City of Manassas Park, and two $1,000 scholarships will be available to students in Fairfax and Prince William counties. Children of NOVEC employees are also eligible to apply for a single $1,000 scholarship.
Applications, which must be returned by April 8, can be obtained by calling 703-392-1540 or 888-335-0500, Ext. 1540, or through e-mail at bwhite@novec.
<sh>Schools Events Calendar
<lst>Thursday, Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.
School Board regular meeting. Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Road, Falls Church.
Friday, Feb. 8, 7:30-9 p.m.
ArtSpeak! with theater, television and recording star Kristin Chenoweth, who will talk about her career, answer questions from the audience, perform three songs and sign autographs. Chenoweth won a Tony award for "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and has also starred in the Disney remake of "Annie." The free event is open to the public. For more information, call 703-813-3800, Poe Middle School, 7000 Cindy Lane, Annandale.
Saturday, Feb. 9, 9 a.m.
Superintendent's retreat for the School Board. Fairfax Government Center, 12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax.
Monday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.
School Board work session, facilities committee. Burkholder Center, 10700 Page Ave., Fairfax.
Monday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee for the Gifted and Talented meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Magnet Program Info Night at Bailey's Elementary. Presentation of the magnet program and philosophy at Bailey's Elementary School. The event is open to the public. Snow date is Feb. 19, 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 703-575-6800. Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences, 6111 Knollwood Drive, Falls Church.
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Minority Student Achievement Oversight Committee meeting. Walnut Hill Center, 7423 Camp Alger Ave., Falls Church.
Wednesday, Feb. 13, 7:30 p.m.
Advisory Committee for Students with Disabilities meeting. Belle Willard Center, 10310 Layton Hall Drive, Fairfax.
Monday, Feb. 18
Washington's Birthday, all schools closed.