Hair types explained
Soccer teams say farewell
page 8
page 3
The Northridge
Painters find religious inspiration
r e t r o Re p
page 6
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Northridge High School • 2901 Northridge Road • Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35406
April 28, 2011 • Volume 8, Issue 7
Little slip, big impact
Graduation exam results arrive anu pandit editor in chief The bonus block and a hired tutor were measures taken to ensure success. On March 29 and 30, the verdicts were in, on little slips of paper that contained the results of the Alabama High School Graduation Exam. For an anonymous senior, it was a shock. “I didn’t pass reading. I was shocked because I’d only been four points off, just four little points. I won’t get to walk with my class. I’m sad, but not that sad because I’ll get to walk during a ceremony in the summer,” she said. Isaac Espy, principal, said that seniors who didn’t pass during the last testing session will be given another chance. “We did our very best to
make sure that every senior would Shantre Wilder, senior, said pass math and reading. Seniors that she “just made it.” will be able to take the gradua“I get to walk because I tion exam in July. We will have passed math, reading and biolan additional graduation cer- ogy. I didn’t pass social studies emony in August for those who or language, but I came really passed the required courses and close to passing language. I’m the grada little bit uation upset, but We had significant gains in exam,” the peopassing rates in accounthe said. ple who ability groups. These are H e aren’t juniors taking math and s a i d graduatthat the ing are reading. We had a roughly passing probably ten percent improvement rate was more upin both areas. higher set. Evfor this eryone ~ Isaac Espy, principal adminiswants to tration of the exams than for pre- walk and graduate. vious ones. She said that it was unfair “We had significant gains in for the graduation exam to be passing rates in accountabil- the only determining factor in ity groups. These are juniors tak- walking. ing math and reading. We had a “It hurts me that the kids roughly ten percent improvement who didn’t pass won’t be able in both areas,” he said. to walk because they worked
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hard for twelve years, and they won’t get any reward for that,” she said. Joshua Edgar, senior, said that graduation exams are a negligible factor in graduation. “I despise graduation exams. It does not bother me that a test standardizes the necessary educational capabilities for students, only that the standard is so pitifully low,” he said. Sabrina Lewis, junior, said she is worried about her passing rate so far. “I’m already a junior, and I didn’t pass reading, language and math. I know at least 50 people who say they’re going to drop out because they didn’t pass. A lot of the seniors didn’t pass. It’s messed up. I think the seniors should at least get to walk, regardless of whether they passed [the exam] or not,” she said.
E-Readers
in brief
Chess club elects officers lane russell staff writer Checkmate! Raiha Bajwa, sophomore, wins again against Mahtahb Monowar, senior, in a chess game during a meeting of Northridge Chess Club. Some of the members didn’t know how to play when they joined. “Most people in the club want to learn to play chess,” Adrika Venkatanarayanan, senior, said. Monowar, co-president, said that they will teach new members to play. “You don’t have to know how to play; we will teach you,” Monowar said. The chess club doesn’t yet have competitions. “We don’t have competitions against other schools yet, but we are hoping to,” Renu Pandit, freshman and newly elected treasurer, said. The club recently had elections for upcoming officers. Anu Pandit, junior, was named president; Joshua Thomas, sophomore, was named vice president; Renu Pandit was named treasurer, and Shuwen Yue, junior, was named secretary. The chess club meets Tuesdays after school in the library until 4:30 p.m. Membership costs $5 and all interested are welcome to join.
snap shot
Board considers electronic reading devices anu pandit editor in chief
47 18
YES
NO polled by anu pandit 65 students polled
Do you think the school would benefit from E-readers?
“ I think they’re a great idea. It’ll make class a lot easier.” -Jacobi Scott, senior
New developments in textbook funding may be lightening backpacks. The Tuscaloosa City School Board is considering replacing hard copies of textbooks with electronic reading devices. The switch would entail a one-time cost of approximately $500,000. Andrew Maxey, assistant principal, said that the benefits of the E-readers outweigh the costs. “I think they’re great. I own one myself. Instead of carrying 50 pounds of books, you’ll carry a two pound E-reader. The cost isn’t really that much when you break it down. When things were going the way they’re supposed to, we would get $75 per student per year for textbooks. Multiply that by about 10,000 students, and you get $750,000 per year. Now, we get about $15, but that’s still $150,000 per year. If this is a one time cost, it’s actually relatively cheap. The only issue is how much money the state is willing to pay,” he said.
Isaac Espy, principal, said that the devices would require money over time and use. “If they are purchased, there will be ongoing replacement, maintenance, and upgrade costs,” he said. He said that the devices could be a potential solution to the textbook shortage. “There are many considerations, such as our ability to provide a device for every student. Also, funding sources and rapid advances in technology may make almost any device obsolete in a short period of time,” he said. “There are pros and cons about any proposal. It sounds like a good solution.” Nancy Reed, history teacher, said she supported the proposal for Ereaders. “It’s the trend in colleges. If you want to get in with the 21st century, it’s a good idea,” she said. Shakelvia Spencer, junior, said that although the E-readers were a good idea, there would be potential problems. “People would try and steal them or tear them up. Even if they’re a better option than textbooks, they’re easier to break and more valuable,” she said.
photo by anu pandit
Anna McEntire, chemistry teacher, is taking the place of Carol McDougal, former chemistry teacher. She graduated from Auburn University in the class of 2010. “I have always loved science and what’s going on in the world around me. I love teaching because I love that “now I get it” look from students. I love to see their moment of clarity,” she said.