Three things for October 4
1. Southeast Tennessee standardized test proficiency rate down by 8%
On Sunday, Oct. 3, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reported standardized test scores in the southeast Tennessee area had an average proficiency rate of 25% for spring 2021 tests. Schools in the area had a previous rate of 33% in 2019.
The largest decline was seen in English and math, according to the Times Free Press.
The Tennessee Department of Education said Bradley County schools showed a 2.8% decrease in overall proficiency rate in 2021, going from 35.9% in 2019 to 33.1%, and Cleveland City schools showed a 6.4% decrease in overall proficiency, going from 32.5% to 26.1%.
The declines are believed to be caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Times Free Press.
2. Oil spill reaches California coast
On Saturday, Oct. 2, approximately 126,000 gallons of oil spilled into the Pacific Ocean and has now reached the southern coast of California.
A pipeline failure caused the spill that released the oil into the ocean. This caused an oil slick reaching 13 square miles in length spreading from Huntington Beach to Newport Beach, the New York Times reports.
As a result, dead fish and birds are washing up on shore, according to a tweet from Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley on Sunday, Oct. 3.
Laura Deehan, state director of Environmental California, spoke about the harmful effects the spill will have on the coastal ecosystem.
“The oil from the spill has already washed up onto Huntington Beach and the Talbert Marsh wetlands, an area that’s home to vibrant birdlife, including great blue herons, pelicans and endangered California least terns, which migrate up the Pacific Coast. The coast is also the habitat for myriad non-avian marine life, from fish that we eat, such as tuna and sea bass, to sea turtles, dolphins and whales. This spill threatens all of them,” Deehan said.
3. CDC releases 2021 holiday guidelines
On Friday, Oct. 1, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention released its recommendations and guidelines for the 2021 holiday season.
The CDC says the safest ways to spend the holidays are by holding outdoor and virtual festivities with the precaution of maintaining social distance. If the event is outdoors, masks are generally not required. However, the CDC recommends masks if the event takes place in an area with high reported cases of COVID-19.
As for inside celebrations, experts say the best precautions to take are to get vaccinated, wear a mask if not vaccinated and allow fresh air to circulate throughout the indoor space by keeping doors and windows open.
If traveling, the CDC says unvaccinated people should “delay traveling until you are fully vaccinated.”
All public transport still requires masks, regardless of vaccination status.
