JACKSON -- The Jackson Board of Education adopted a set of goals to enhance student achievement and the quality of instruction during its regular meeting Tuesday at the Jackson Middle School.

Dr. Howard Jones, superintendent, presented a list of 31 goals for the coming school year to the board for approval. Specific objectives were outlined in the areas of education, professional personnel, school environment and operations for short-term achievement by students, staff and administrators in the district. In addition, several long-term goals were proposed in the same areas.

"This set of goals in '97 and '98 are really putting a focus on the quality of instruction and student achievement," Jones said. "I think we've made some significant progress on several rather elaborate goals from last year, and we'll continue to work on those as this year progresses."

Assistant Superintendent Fred Jones said several of the goals focus on preparing students and teachers for state achievement testing that switches from a multiple-choice format for testing proficiency to performance-based assessments that require students to demonstrate their knowledge.

In particular, he said, administrators will conduct a feasibility study at the junior and senior high schools to determine whether a move to block scheduling would help teachers prepare students for the state-mandated tests.

Block scheduling would mimic class scheduling at the collegiate level, where students have longer class periods that allow them to spend longer amounts of time with course work.

The longer class periods would require teachers to alter their teaching style, Fred Jones said, and students would benefit from the opportunity for more in-depth study.

"To gear up and do well on that type of assessment, you need to gear up and prepare with that type of teaching," he told board members. "This type of instruction does that because of the longer class periods and deeper instruction."

In other action, the board voted not to raise the prices of school lunches and half-pints of milk.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Terry Gibbons told members his recommendation to keep prices at last year's levels came mainly because the district's lunch program operates in a deficit each year. Major factors in the deficit are salaries and increased food costs, he said.

However, the district's low number of students eligible for the Free and Reduced Student Lunch program, and low school lunch participation at the high school level also contribute, he said.

"One of the contributing causes I've found after talking with students in that we have an open campus," Gibbons told board members. "When those kids who can have an opportunity to get away from school, even for 15 or 20 minutes, they do it."

Gibbons said administrators are looking at several options to offset the deficit, including trying new marketing techniques to keep students at school.

More food choices and colorful displays are just two options being considered, he said.

"We want to see if we can't attract more of those students to be with their friends at the school, as opposed to getting in their cars and speeding up and down the road," he said.

Jackson Board of Education

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1997

7:30 p.m.

Action Items

-- Approved board policy revisions -- third reading.

-- Approved Board of Education goals for 1997-98 and receive report regarding 1996-97 goals.

-- Approved eligibility criteria for free and reduced student lunches for 1997-98.

-- Approved school lunch prices for 1997-98.

-- Approved cost of a half-pint of milk for 1997-98.

-- Voted to support statewide effort to establish favorable telecommunication rates for schools and contribute $600 to support fund.