Pelham Schools Announces Test Results Availability

From Pelham Public Schools:

The New York State Department of Education (NYSED) recently released results of the 2016 English Language Arts and Math student assessments for grades 3 through 8. An official presentation provided a summary of these statewide results.

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Peter Giarrizzo, has directed Assistant Superintendent Dr. Steven Garcia to organize his team to begin analyzing the data. In the upcoming weeks and months, Mrs. Maria Thompson, Director of Humanities and Dr. Thomas Callahan, Director of Math & Science will work with Pelham principals and teachers to disaggregate the data to learn more about individual student performance and needs, as well as better understand grade-level, school, and District trends.

Dr. Giarrizzo said, “We see improved student proficiency in both ELA and Math throughout the District, yet we know that there is much more work to be done as we aspire a standard of excellence for all students. I have every confidence that under Dr. Garcia’s direction, his team and our teachers will mobilize our resources to use any useful data points to build upon the good work that we are doing on behalf of our students with a critical eye toward enhancing the teaching and learning process.”

The NYSED developed a new public data portal to facilitate access to school district data. Dr. Garcia said that an initial examination of the data reflects efforts to improve curricula and instructional alignment across all four elementary schools. He stated, “We have made tremendous progress to integrate a systemic approach to literacy and mathematics at the elementary level. We must build upon this work throughout the district.” Data specific to Pelham is accessible through the state portal. Earlier in the spring, the NYSED posted 75% of questions from the 2016 Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics Tests online at EngageNY.org.

Dr. Giarrizzo reaffirmed that limitations continue to exist this year in comparing results with previous years and with other districts due to the significant number of students who did not take the tests in the spring, both in Pelham and statewide. A total of 160 Pelham students in grades 3-8 refused to take tests in English Language Arts and 173 in Math. 21% of students statewide did not sit for these tests. He acknowledged, “One of our core values is to embrace a process of continuous improvement. Accountability is important to us, and we strive for excellence in all that we are doing using many data points to inform our work with teachers and students. The NYS assessments remain only one of many data points that the district uses to assess student growth and achievement. ”

Dr. Giarrizzo recognized the State’s efforts to reset and pause several aspects of the Regents reform agenda, such as the movement to a new test vendor, a reduction in the number of exam questions, and allowing for untimed testing, but acknowledged that many areas remain unknown. He stated, “We await the implementation of recommendations from the Governor’s Common Core Task Force, flexibility regarding the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and changes with APPR Education Law 3012-d. These outstanding issues will continue to impact our work educating children.” Dr. Giarrizzo emphasized the District’s efforts to provide exceptional learning experiences beyond state exams, through performance-based assessments, MakerSpaces, and the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. “We are excited about the work that is driven by our Strategic Plan, and feel strongly that these experiences promise to have an even greater impact on our teachers and students for years to come.”

According to the NYSED, individual student score reports will be available to schools to share with parents in the coming weeks. Once parents receive their child’s score reports, they may direct specific questions about their child’s performance to their building principal or classroom teacher. To see sample score reports and to find resources for understanding the reports, go here.

Image via Shutterstock