Comments on CUFSD Administrative Reports

Administrative Reports (AR) were presented at the Dec and Nov 2014 Commack BOE meeting and are available at the CUFSD web site. A few comments on these AR’s follow::
(1) Dec AR, page 4, states that “the 2 year SAT average of the Class of 2013 & 2014 is 1655 which is 205 over the NYS 2 year average of 1450”. But College Board data indicates that 1450 is the median, not the “average”, which is 1466. Further, the NYS 2014 mean SAT score ranks quite low among the states, and is hardly a standard for comparisons of SAT performance.
According to the College Board, about 40% of NYS SAT-takers met/exceeded the SAT benchmark of 1550(not to be confused with the Common Core benchmark used for cut scores). The 1550 SAT Benchmark is defined as being consistent with a 65% probability of at least a B- GPA in the first year of a 4-year college. The AR does not provide percentile SAT statistics; however, it is estimated that at least 65% of 2014 Commack SAT-takers met/exceeded the benchmark.
(2) Dec AR, page 4, also states that “nearly 100% of Commack students attend College”. That seems to be based on self reported data that indicated 98% college enrollment for the Class of 2014 (page 16 of Nov AR). Yet, in the Nov AR, CUFSD accepted National Student Clearinghouse/NYSED data for the Commack Class of 2014 indicating 89.5% college enrollment. That data has subsequently been shown by Carol Burris (Washington Post Answer Sheet) and others to be grossly in error (underestimated) so that all the comparisons in the Nov 2014 issue of the AR which use that data are of little worth (and should be ignored and/or removed)..
(3) Dec AR, page 8, under “Commack’s Approach to Teaching Mathematics” (K–2) states: “Currently working with Larry Farrell, BOCES consultant…”.Apparently, there is no one in the district capable of generating K-2 math units.
(4) Dec AR, page 20, under “Initiative” states “IB Programme”. I believe the common spelling in the US is still “program”. CUFSD has yet to present the costs associated with IB in the Middle School, its advantages and disadvantages, the number of students who participate, etc.
(5) Dec AR, page 22: “Senator Flanagan’s Visitation” is cited under “Progress Highlights”. There seems to be some confusion between ”photo opportunity” and ”progress”.
(6) Nov AR, page 24, is a chart showing tax levy history. A note points out the year that zero-based budgeting commenced, implying a causal relationship with subsequent lower tax levies. This could be considered misleading, except I suspect all taxpayers (who are paying attention) have heard of the 2% tax cap.
(7) Nov AR, page 28 presents a table indicating a cost savings of $1.2M with a descriptor
“created specialized programs to attract tuition-paying students”. The number of such students in each of the special ed and general ed categories as well as the average cost, the average tuition in each category, and details of the $1.2M “saving” would be informative – assuming that is the purpose of the Administrative Reports.. .