PLATTSBURGH -- A host of school districts in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties are being recognized for surpassing federal education standards.
They were among 1,759 public schools and 288 school districts statewide named High Performing/Gap Closing under No Child Left Behind. Another 373 schools and 62 districts were named Rapidly Improving, including three local schools.
High Performing schools were recognized for meeting all applicable state standards in English language arts and math during the 2006-07 year, as well as making adequate yearly progress in those subjects for two consecutive years. Rapidly Improving Schools were below state standards in one or more subjects but showed improvement from 2004-05.
TRACK CHALLENGES
"It's very exciting," said Saranac Central School Superintendent Ken Cringle.
All Saranac schools made the High Performing list.
"It has been a lot of work," Cringle said.
To improve student achievement over the past few years, Saranac educators reviewed and aligned the K-12 curriculum with state standards.
They also regularly break down student data into sub-groups, such as students with disabilities or from low-income families, to better determine how to help all children by identifying strengths and weaknesses.
That data is used to drive instructional practices.
"Our goal over the last three years has been on literacy and math, and one big initiative we have been working on is with Plattsburgh State and literacy initiatives for grades K-5," Cringle said.
The district is also providing research-based instruction and identifying students across all grade levels who are struggling.
"We have created lofty benchmarks and have met and exceeded state standards in many areas for our students," Cringle said. "If we don't achieve our benchmarks for the year, we look at why and address it."
FOCUS ON READING
AuSable Valley Central School Superintendent Paul Savage also said reading initiatives have helped his students succeed.
"This is great news for our district," he said of the listing.
AuSable Forks Primary School was listed as High Performing, while Keeseville Primary School made the list of Rapidly Improving schools.
"It is impossible to point to one main factor for the success we are seeing, but I can say with confidence that the district's commitment to remain with Reading First practices had a major impact on our results," Savage said. "Through the program, our students are becoming even better readers, and that is carrying over to the success we are seeing in many areas."
He applauded students for stepping up to the challenge and stressed that administrators and teachers constantly reflect on what is being learned and taught, assessing student performance and revising instructional practices as needed.
"This is a theme that is evident in each classroom and building in our district."
SPECIAL EMPHASIS
Plattsburgh City School Superintendent James "Jake" Short said such themes are evident in his buildings, too, with all schools in the district that administer standardized tests deemed High Performing.
"Basically, we have a focused group of teachers."
City School officials spent a considerable amount over the last few years analyzing test scores and curriculum alignment, placing special emphasis on English language arts and math.
"It is a good example of where standardized testing can help shape and drive what we do instructionally," Short said.
He is pleased with the recent success, calling it a "feather in the cap" for teachers and administrators, but pointed out that the work is far from done.
"Now, the difficulty and the trick will be, once you're on top, do you stay on top? This is more of a pat on the back and encouragement to keep working just as hard."
sbartlett@pressrepublican.com
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