Test scores prompt Rockdale officials to eliminate elective

CONYERS - Declining test scores have prompted officials to cut a band program from Rockdale County elementary schools, The Rockdale Citizen reported Tuesday. <br> <br> The Rockdale County Board of Education backed a recommendation from Superintendent Ruel Parker to remove the instrumental elective from fifth-grade. The decision was in response to board requests to find alternatives to improve academic performance, Parker explained. <br> <br> Band classes, generally lasting for 30 minutes, are held during the school day. Parker said dropping the program would increase the amount of time students learn core subjects such as math and reading. Canceling fifth-grade band also allows more resources such as instruments for middle school band, Parker said. <br> <br> Board member Darlene Hotchkiss said, ``One of the things we are seeing is that sixth-grade test scores are dropping, and that could be related to time out of class. There is something were not doing, and this is our first step in covering it.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Ray Ramos, another school board member, felt similarly. <br> <br> ``Teachers at the fifth-grade level will tell you that they are hard-pressed to meet the curriculum objectives,&#39;&#39; Ramos said. &#39;&#39; ... we need to do the things we can to support teachers and improve student performance.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Parker&#39;s proposal met some objections but he defended it, noting that no other metro area school systems maintained a fifth-grade band program throughout all schools. <br> <br> ``My reason is to enhance instructional effectiveness in fifth-grade and enhance the band program in sixth-grade,&#39;&#39; he said. <br> <br> School officials also are considering eliminating 4-H and D.A.R.E., the Drug Awareness and Resistance Education program, from the fifth-grade schedule.

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