Dr. Suzanne Scallion
While we near the completion of the first quarter, we are pleased to share the results of our 2012-13 testing. Our staff and students have worked very hard to meet the demands of the curriculum. And, while we use the Common Core standards as the basic foundation to our curriculum, we seek to maintain a balance and also develop skills in problem solving, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity.
In addition to the state MCAS for students in Grades 3 through 10, we have also been analyzing student success of early literacy and math using data from several sources including DIBELS Next, GRADE and GMADE. Because our district receives Title I funding, we are required to do this testing.
New elementary curriculum materials in Math (K-5) and Literacy (K-3)over the past couple of years that are aligned with the new standards combined with professional development for staff are having a positive effect.Every one of the elementary schools showed gains in early reading skills with a nearly ten percent gain for our students in Grades K – 3. Our 3rd graders exceeded the state averages in Mathematics on MCAS for the first time. While our 4th and 5th graders also showed gains in Literacy on both the MCAS and GRADE, there is a need to develop and align our curriculum materials. We are piloting the research-based Reading Street program at two schools this year to determine if it is a good fit for the rest of the district.
The results of the MCAS (MA Comprehensive Assessment System) are both exciting and predictable. We saw gains in the number of our students who moved to Advanced in Mathematics in Grades 3, 4 5, 7 and 10. The increases were 11, 9, 6, 3 and 10 percent correspondingly. The focus on Mathematics and the opportunity for extended professional development have provided the teachers with the tools that they need to keep our students competitive with their peers across the nation. This year, we were able to update the Math materials at the middle schools so they are aligned with the new standards. Our high schools performed well and the achievement gap is narrowing. We are proud of the gains that have been made but we must continue with this improvement trend.
As a school district, we are grateful for the support of the greater community. We need to continue to invest in curriculum materials that are challenging and up to date. And, our teachers must continue to have time together to plan, collaborate and develop the rigor of our programs. Schools are not the same as they were even a decade ago. Our technology needs are also urgent as we need both hardware (devices) and software licenses. We have been getting by on refurbished equipment but it will need to be replaced. Other districts are beginning to develop policies that allow students to bring their own portable devices that can safely integrate into school servers and wireless networks. We are looking at the possibilities of this for Westfield.
All said, we have much to celebrate and the needs of our students are very clear. We must continue to support our teachers and students with the curriculum materials, technology and training that are needed for to continue on this trend.
As ever, thanks for your support of Westfield Public Schools.
Best wishes, Dr. Suzanne Scallion, Superintendent
