Virginia's eighth-graders know how to write, according to national test results released last week, but they're not getting that much better at it.

Virginia students outperformed their counterparts nationwide on the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Program writing test. The exam measures students' persuasive and informative writing abilities.

Every five years, the writing exam is given to a new group of fifth-, eighth- and 11th-graders.

Eighth-graders are asked to answer at least two sections of the test. This year, the state's eighth-graders scored on average 157, which was three points higher than the national average.

Ninety percent of Virginia students demonstrated at least basic writing skills on the 2007 test, and 31 percent met or exceeded the NAEP standard for full proficiency.

Although Virginia's average was higher than about 20 other states', according to a Virginia Department of Education news release, its average score didn't change from when the test was given to eighth-graders in 2002.

The national results don't break down Virginia's results by school district.

Ground is broken at new Blacksburg High stadium

On Monday, students, staff, boosters and Montgomery County Superintendent Tiffany Anderson attended a ground-breaking event for the new Blacksburg High School stadium's locker rooms. The $3.6 million stadium is expected to be open in August.

The 5,000-square-foot locker rooms will have areas for the home and visiting teams and officials as well as a first-aid area and storage space.

The school's booster club still is looking for money to add on to the stadium, including putting down artificial turf. So far, the club has raised about $800,000.

Givens in running for national teaching award

Floyd County High School teacher Andrew Givens has been named one of 44 finalists for the 2008 Cable Leaders in Learning.

The awards, given by the cable industry's foundation, Cable in the Classroom, are given to innovative teachers. Givens was nominated because of his "Physics of Paper Airplanes" project, an interactive activity designed to show students the relevance of physics. Students in Givens class designed and tested their model airplanes and competed in a "fly-off."

Winners receive $3,000 and a paid trip to Washington, D.C., where they attend a gala at the Library of Congress in June.

Christiansburg student heads to leadership camp

Christiansburg Middle School student Cassandra Hanson, 10, will travel to Washington, D.C., next week as a member of the People to People Leadership Forum.

The forum takes students from grades six to 11 and immerses them in a leadership camp where they'll participate in small-group discussions and tour Capitol Hill, among other notable capital attractions.

Hanson's fourth-grade teacher nominated her for the forum, and she'll be the youngest to attend.

"When a leader's needed, she'll take charge and get things done," said her father, Don Hanson.

Blacksburg students to raise funds for diabetes

On April 18, pre-K through second-grade students at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School have planned a Walk-a-Thon to help raise money for the American Diabetes Association.

A student at the school with juvenile diabetes sparked the idea. To prepare for the event, students will be learning about diabetes prevention and recognition.

Prom party fundraising efforts now under way

Students at Christiansburg High school are hunting for equipment and prizes to use for their school-sponsored after-prom party this year. The school has mailed letters to community partners asking for gifts, food and other materials because they "desperately need help" or the party may not happen.

For the past 19 years, the overnight after-prom has provided a spot for junior and senior promgoers to party. Students who stay until daybreak receive prizes, and four students have a chance to win a new car.

Although the request doesn't say how much the school needs, donors who send $250 or more will have their names printed on the official event T-shirt. Donations can be made to: CHS after prom, P.O. Box 141, Christiansburg, VA 24068

Blacksburg High DECA looking for donations

Members of Blacksburg High's DECA, a marketing and business club, are looking for ways to finance a trip to an International Career and Development Conference in Atlanta later this month. Four of the 120 students received honors in the statewide competition recently.

All donations for the $725 per person trip can be sent to Kim Radford, 520 Patrick Henry Drive, Blacksburg, VA 24060.