Educational Council support student achievement
The school district is participating in
an ambitious, multi-year project intended to boost student
achievement in all subject areas, from kindergarten through
graduation.
The Educational Development/Achievement Council establishes a
detailed process for responding to critical issues related to
student achievement, curriculum and program.
Beginning with the 2003-04 school year, the council – including
faculty, administrators and a parent and student representative
– is examining three major curriculum areas each year, and, when
indicated, making recommendations for improvement. Suggested
improvements might relate to curriculum, textbook selection,
staff development, or programs.
For 2003-04, the pilot project was math for kindergarten through
grade 12, followed in the spring by counseling services, K-12,
and foreign language for grades six to 12.
By the end of 2007-2008, all curriculum areas will undergo major
reviews, and then the cycle will begin again. Subcommittees will
be established to review each academic subject.
“We’re excited about this project because it provides the
opportunity to conduct an in-depth analysis of each academic
discipline,” said Janice White, deputy superintendent. “It also
facilitates communication among educators at different levels,
so that elementary, middle school and high school teachers will
be able to share ideas and concerns.”
In the past, Mrs. White said, there have been few formal
opportunities for that kind of communication.
“For example, we think it will be very helpful for eighth-grade
math teachers at the middle school to talk to ninth-grade math
teachers at the high school about preparing the younger students
for the transition to high school math,” Mrs. White said.
In many cases, the preliminary work that will help the council
achieve its objectives has already been accomplished or is under
way. For instance, in math, a new elementary textbook series was
introduced in September 2002, and a middle school textbook
series in September 2001. Several summer curriculum projects in
recent years have addressed math topics from elementary school
through high school.
The district’s students continue to achieve at high levels, as
evidenced by their performance on the June 2003 Math A Regents
exam. Statewide, only 37 percent of students passed the test,
compared to 91 percent in Saratoga Springs.
“The council will be addressing not only how we can work to
continue that kind of performance, but how we can surpass it,
perhaps by establishing a goal of having more students score at
85 percent or above,” said Mrs. White.
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