Are Monroe 10th Graders Heading In the Right Direction?

According to the results of the annual Connecticut Academic Performance Tests (CAPT) released this week by the Connecticut Department of Education fewer Masuk sophomores scored at or above the Goal-level in Math, Science and Reading than last year’s sophomores. This year's class showed only an increase in students meeting Goal in Writing — two percent.

Goal is considered "an above average, but attainable level," by the state Department of Education.

"Historically, the percentage of students scoring at or above the Goal-level has been an important indicator of the quality of the secondary school education in Connecticut,” according to the state's press release.

The Proficiency level is a lower standard of performance. The percentage of students scoring at or above Proficient-level is used to identify schools that are faltering or not making "adequately yearly progress" under the federal No Child Left Behind act.

For instance, 80.3 percent of all 10^th graders in the entire state are at or above Proficient this year in Math. But only 49.6 percent are at or above Goal. Masuk sophomores far surpass the state numbers with 94.2 percent Proficient in Math and 72.4 percent at or above Goal.

"Good schools are critical," said Barbara Coleman, manager of William Raveis Real Estate on Monroe Turnpike. "A young family's main concern when looking for a home is the education system. Is it superior? Monroe is a family town and if they lose that (their great schools) they lose a great attraction."

It was the superior school system that drew Coleman and her family to the town years ago. She is a former 5^th grade teacher from Stamford.

"There are areas of growth that have seen a dip," said Superintendent of Schools Coleen Palmer reviewing the test results. "We are not satisfied."

She noted that Masuk High School staff are aware of the areas of concern and committed to addressing them.  

Test scores show that sophomore writing skills are up.

"Writing was identified as a district goal," Palmer explained. "Everyone was working hard at the high school level to improve those skills."

A firm 98 percent of Masuk sophomores scored Proficient in Writing with 79.9 percent at or above Goal. Both increases over last year's scores.

According to Palmer, the CAPT results will have no impact on any funds Monroe receives from the state for education.

"Monroe is a high performance district," she said.

Palmer has accepted the Superintendent of Schools position with the Weston School District and will be leaving Monroe next week

Monroe sophomores made a respectable showing against the high schools in 12 other nearby school districts, landing in the top four with Trumbull, Fairfield and the leader Region 9. The other schools considered were Ansonia, Bridgeport, Derby, Milford, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Stratford, and Bridge Academy. 

Over 40,000 sophomores throughout the state were given the CAPT in March. That included nearly 300 Masuk High School 10th graders, 30 less than a year ago.