WESTFIELD – More positive results on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exam were shared with the Westfield School Committee Monday evening.
A requirement of the state’s Education Reform Act of 1993, the MCAS test is given to all public school students in the Commonwealth, and a passing grade on the exam as a tenth grader is required to earn a diploma from a Massachusetts public high school.
At a meeting of the city’s School Committee Monday evening, principals from Highland, Juniper Park, and Munger Hill shared not only the results of the latest round of tests, but also initiatives being implemented at three of the most economically and culturally diverse elementary schools in the city.
Highland Elementary School Principal James Kane spoke of the recent initiatives at his school with the use of the Imagine Learning Software Program.
“Students are using it (Imagine Learning) five times a week for 30 minutes each day,” Kane said, adding also that students are using it during the summer, as well.
He said that the Bay State Reading Institute literacy model is also being used by students.
Highland Assistant Principal MaryClaire Manning took the mic next and added that the school would be focusing on increasing “cultural awareness”.
“A strong cultural identity is linked to a sense of wellbeing and how well one relates to others,” she said, adding that many Russian and Nepali students at Highland come from refugee camp settings, and that increased cultural awareness will help the school in dealing with this transition.
Highland earned a level two distinction for it’s performance on the test, with English as a Second Language students making giant leaps forward. That population of students comprises over half of the student body.
Juniper Park Principal Arlene Spiegel thanked the committee for working to improve the continuity of curriculum at the school, which she said will provide an easier transition to South Middle School, and for providing an Assistant Principal in Alison Hamilton.
“It has freed me up as principal to spend more time doing what I need to be doing and what I do best,” she said of the addition of Hamilton. “Getting into classrooms and analyzing the instruction that goes on in those classrooms.”
Spiegel also came to the committee to report significant gains for some of her students, as it’s third graders scored above the state average in reading and mathematics, while fourth graders fell slightly below the state average in language arts and math.
“We’ve doubled the amount of students in our advanced category in our third-graders,” she said, crediting the increase to the quality of instruction in the classrooms. “We’re bringing in a math coach to work with students, which gives us an opportunity to meet the needs of all of our students.”
Spiegel also spoke on behalf of Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, a district-wide initiative designed to increase academic performance, improve overall safety, cut down on behavioral problems, and to establish positive school culture.
Munger Hill Principal Marcia Estelle was excited to speak to the committee for the first time as principal of the Mallard Lane school, after serving as assistant principal at South Middle School.
“Across the district, there has been an incredible growth in mathematics,” Estelle said, before singing the praises of the Envision Math Program. “It is making a difference in strengthening our students math skills.”
Estelle also trumpeted the Reading Street program for younger students, as language arts seems to be “leveling out” at the school.
“I’m interested to see the effects of Reading Street on our kindergarten through fifth-grade students,” she said.
Munger Hill performed well on the MCAS, as only one grade/subject area, third-grade English Language Arts, fell below the state average, by only two points.
“I’m coming to Munger Hill at a very exciting time,” Estelle said.
