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District reviews low grades 3–8 state scores; administration outlines multi-step reading review
Summary
The superintendent and curriculum leaders told the board that spring 2024 New York State grades 3–8 ELA and math results do not fully reflect classroom learning; the district outlined steps including program audits, professional development, and alignment with the New York State literacy review guide.
The superintendent opened the presentation by saying, "I wanna begin with the end in mind, which is that we know we can do better," and told trustees the district is not satisfied with recent grades 3–8 New York State ELA and math results. The presentation traced testing history in the state and said the district received statewide results in July of the prior year and then shared reports with administrators, teachers and families when levels were released.
Assistant administrators and curriculum leaders described instructional steps taken and planned. Mr. Arrieta, who led the reading-program review, summarized past and recent changes: the district introduced Heggerty for phonemic awareness in kindergarten, increased use of decodable texts at William O. Schaefer, implemented schoolwide phonemic and phonics assessments, and adopted Freckle at Cottage Lane to reinforce comprehension. Arrieta said teams created a set of district "nonnegotiables" for reading instruction and have begun auditing current practice against the state's literacy-review guidance.
The district emphasized that computer-based testing (CBT) adoption provides new diagnostic information: "For the first time, we have access to the answers that our students gave on these assessments," the superintendent said, which allows item- and constructed-response analyses. The administration also described professional-development activities, including workshops with external consultant Molly Ness and attendance at Rockland BOCES trainings.
Board members pressed for clarity on program choices, costs and teacher involvement. One trustee asked, "Out of curiosity, what phonics program do we use in our district?" and the response was, "Right now, we use TC phonics." Administrators clarified that the district still uses the Teachers College phonics materials for now but decided in July 2023 not to renew consultants from Teachers College for professional development; Molly Ness has been engaged for district workshops and follow-up visits.
Administrators said New York State has signaled an annual requirement, beginning Sept. 1, 2025, that districts verify K–3 reading practices align with state best practices and the literacy-review guide. District leaders listed next steps: evaluate alternative phonics/word-study/complete-reading programs in February, plan phased implementation and budget for training and materials, and involve teacher leaders and building principals in rollout decisions. The administration said it will measure changes incrementally so the district can identify which interventions affect outcomes.
No formal board action was taken on curriculum choices at this meeting; trustees asked for more time to review materials sent with the board packet and said they expect future updates as implementation proceeds.
