Seven schools in Union and Wallowa counties have received honor

roll-caliber report cards from the Oregon Department of Education.

The seven schools plus two school districts received overall ratings

of “outstanding” for 2009-10 from the Oregon Department of Education

via its school report card program. The “outstanding” ratings are the

highest the ODE awards.

Imbler and Enterprise high schools plus five grade schools – Central and Island City in the La Grande School District and Enterprise, Imbler and Wallowa elementary schools – received outstanding ratings.

The North Powder and Cove school districts also were awarded “outstanding” marks. Cove and North Powder were evaluated overall rather than by school because of their smaller size.

North Powder Superintendent Lance Dixon said new strategies and restructuring put in place in his district played a role in the outstanding rating it received. Ultimately, however, the high mark is a credit to the hard work of North Powder’s teachers and staff, Dixon stressed.

“The reality is that it was the extra effort of our staff which made the difference.”

Four high schools, one middle school and four grade schools in Union and Wallowa counties received satisfactory ratings, the second highest given by the state.

At the secondary level, La Grande, Elgin, Union and Wallowa high schools and La Grande Middle School received satisfactory ratings. The following grade schools received satisfactory ratings – Greenwood Elementary in La Grande, Stella Mayfield School (a kindergarten through eighth grade school) in Elgin, Union Elementary and Joseph Elementary (K-8).

Joseph High School was not rated because of its small sophomore class of eight students. Much of a high school’s report card rating is based upon how its sophomores do on state assessment tests. High schools need a minimum number of sophomores to qualify for ratings as a result.

Imnaha Elementary School in the Joseph School District and the Troy School District were not rated because of their small sizes.

La Grande Superintendent Larry Glaze said his district’s solid report card, which features two elementary schools that received outstanding ratings, reflects a strong team effort involving teachers, parents and the community.

“This should be celebrated,” Glaze said.

Glaze believes the ODE’s report card is becoming more valid because a student growth model has been added to it. Schools now receive credit on the report card for individual student improvement.

“(The growth model) makes it more authentic,” Glaze said.

School report cards are issued because of state legislation passed in 1999. The report cards are meant to help public schools communicate with parents and their communities about student test performances, school improvement, attendance, dropout rates, teacher education experience and more. Schools are given ratings of outstanding, satisfactory and need improvement.

Enterprise Superintendent Brad Royse said the outstanding ratings his two schools received were encouraging.

“It shows what a great staff and students we have,” Royse said.

The Enterprise superintendent said the ratings are also a credit to how his staff has decided to take state assessment tests seriously and move forward.

Royse warned that Enterprise’s report card ratings are subject to significant changes from year to year because of the small size of his district, which has close to 400 students. Should a limited number of students not perform well on assessment tests one year, report card ratings can change significantly in a small district.

Imbler Superintendent Doug Hislop said the outstanding ratings his elementary school and high school received reflect the support provided to students by the district’s staff.

“Anyone can be successful if they want to be,” Hislop said.

He said Imbler’s teachers care about their students like they are their own sons and daughters.

“When you treat your students like they are your own kids they will do anything for you.”