Now that the contract issue is out of the way, Corda has released the official CAPT scores. What a shocker:
Five Norwalk elementary schools, all four middle schools, and all three high schools were classified as “In Need of Improvement†this
year under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Salvatore Corda, however, is cautiously encouraged by the NCLB results, which were
released by the state Department of Education Thursday.Superintendent of Schools Salvatore Corda, however, is cautiously encouraged by the NCLB results, which were released by the state Department of Education Thursday. “If you look at where we are in 2007 compared to where we were in 2006, we have made significant progress. We’re not there yet, but we’ve made significant progress,” he said at a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Nothing like awarded a salary increase and contract extension before you release he “performance evaluator” grades. This is for Jodi Bishop Pullan, the CAPT scores in Danbury are better even though they have the same demographic challenges and spend significantly less per pupil. You can read the statewide list of schools here, but none two of the Danbury high schools made the list, we have 12 elementary and middle schools on the list they have 5 elementary and middle schools. For all the spinning Corda will do, the reality is that his program of improvement has been an absolute failure and the excuses should raise alarms.
Corda pointed to specific subgroups at several elementary schools where AYP was made this year but had not been made the prior year. For instance, at Fox Run Elementary School, the African-American subgroup did not make AYP in math last year but did make it this year. At Rowayton, Columbus and Wolfpit elementary schools, the subgroups of students receiving free or reduced price lunch did not make AYP in math or reading last year but achieved it in both subjects this year.
Columbus, Naramake, Rowayton and Wolfpit elementary schools all achieved AYP this year. Brookside, Cranbury, Jefferson and Kendall elementary schools are all in their first year classified as in need of improvement and Silvermine is in its second year. Fox Run and Marvin elementary schools are in “safe harbor,” meaning they have made improvement but have not reached the threshold necessary to have made AYP. If they continue to improve, they will achieve AYP next year. Lastly, Tracey Elementary School did not achieve AYP for the first time, and thus is not considered to be in need of improvement.
Here’s what the Danbury school officials had to say:
Danbury school leaders are not unhappy with the results, even though they have a new school on the list of those in need of improvement. One school, Morris Street, which was the first Danbury school to be on the list, met the federal standard this year. If it meets the standard again next year, it will be off the list.
In most cases, schools on the list made tremendous gains over last year in most areas, Danbury associate superintendent William Glass said Thursday.
“Our biggest challenge is with English-language learners, especially Hispanics, who are not proficient enough to do well on tests,” Glass said. “We’re already connected with an outside organization (that) will be working with kids who are English language learners.”
Glass also considering a plan to use instructional coaches to help classroom teachers work with bilingual and English as a second language students.
Note that in Danbury they identify a problem and then communicate what plan they are going to use to address that problem. Corda just likes to make excuses. Excuses for himself, excuses for Lang, excuses for Morris, excuses for Opdahl. Excuses for why textbooks need to be purchased year after years because they can’t figure out what the curriculum is. Excuses for why central office needs to be staffed over literacy specialists in the schools. I could go on.
The BOE should hold an immediate special meeting and demand a concrete plan, no excuses on what this school year is going to do differently to address reading by English language learners.
This post has been updated to reflect that the original link only showed middle and elementary school listings for Danbury and Norwalk. The original post said no Danbury high schools were on the list. The High School listings can be found here.. Danbury High is on the list.
source: The Hour, School test scores mixed Corda cites ’significant’ progress over last year’s No Child Left Behind results by LAUREN GARRISON, August 31, 2007
source: Danbury News Times, More Danbury-area schools fail federal standards, By Eileen FitzGerald, August 31, 2007
