School District Announces Plans to Improve Student Achievement

Teaneck school administrators presented their plans to increase student achievement, including more outreach to parents, added student assessments and professional development for district teachers.

The presentations at Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting came after data showed four of seven district schools did not meet federal benchmarks under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Regular reviews of basic math skills will be added to lessons, and a list of online study resources will be made available, said Hung Kim, supervisor of math, science and instructional technology. Professional development for teachers is also part of the district’s plan to improve achievement in math along with helping students with study skills. 

In language arts, a new assessment tool will be used along with added professional development, said Thomas Wiedenman, supervisor of language arts literacy and ESL. A new version of the tool provides a sharper focus on instruction and challenges students in new areas.

Teacher training sessions will start with district-wide workshops, followed up by in-class coaching from experts and co-teaching, Wiedenman said.

“We’re going to focus in on the critical reading skills that are essential for students to improve their reading,” he said.

The district will emphasize the importance of comprehension and other areas tested by state exams, Wiedenman said. Visualizing and questioning during reading will also be a focus.

“We’ll create a classroom culture with high regard for reading,” he said.

In the district’s two middle schools, professional development, data analysis, added assessments and community engagement were some of the plans presented. Teachers will have to answer new questions about their lessons and measure student learning of various skills. 

Principal Lennox Small pointed to a partnership with William Paterson University that allows students to meet with undergraduates and get a sample of the college experience. The school is also looking for community members to meet with students to talk about career experiences.

“The students enjoy it tremendously,” Small said. 

Parents will also play a role in the plans to increase scores. At , parents can sign a log to show they read to their children and helped them practice numbers, said Principal Elise Bourne-Busby. Students with the most signatures will receive a certificate.

Bourne-Busby said teachers will work to shape lessons around different learning styles.

“If they don’t learn the way we teach, we will teach the way they learn,’’ she said.

At , staff members have worked to improve the school climate. Late passes have been eliminated and the school recently hosted a program with , said Principal Dennis Heck.

Student athletes produced anti-bullying infomercials and Heck has formed a “principal’s cabinet” where students meet with him to provide input on school issues.

Heck said he hopes to increase the amount of parents signed up for the Skyward student information website and plans to increase outreach to families of Latino students.

Heck said it is important to provide bilingual automated calls and mailings about the state’s HSPA test. He also plans to work with local Latino organizations.

In high school academics, Heck said more math classes have been added to lower the teacher-student ratio. New software will be offered in November to help students practice for state exams and extra help for students with disabilities will be made available. The high school will also offer homework help. 

Assistant Superintendent Vincent McHale said all principals will meet with him and Superintendent Barbara Pinsak to review school goals. Regular updates on student achievement will be given to the school board, he said. 

The Board of Education presentations provided an overview of the district's plans and McHale said school-specific presentations will also be offered. Dates and times will be posted on the school district website.