Southside Middle School reports rising participation and strong regents performance, outlines action plan

Southside Middle School administrators presented assessment results and an instructional action plan to the Rockville Centre Union Free School District Board of Education on Nov. 6.

The presentation, led by Maria Lasorsa with colleagues Sheila McGinn and Antoinette Morgan, highlighted increases in New York State assessment participation and proficiency since 2021 and strong performance on local and Regents exams. The presenters said Grade 6 English language arts participation rose from 39% in 2021 to 71% in 2025; Grade 6 math participation reached 73% in 2025. The school reported Grade 6 math proficiency at 81% and Grade 7 math at 78% for 2025, figures the presenters said exceed regional averages.

Administrators also cited regents results. They said the school’s Algebra I passing rate was 94% in 2024 and rose to 96% in 2025 while the regional rate fell; for Earth Science, they reported a 91% passing rate and a 68% mastery rate in 2025. Presenters described using state-provided flexibility to review the June and July 2025 exams and prepare for the January 2026 administration.

Why it matters: Administrators said the combined use of state assessment booklets, local assessments (NWEA/MAP), teacher gap reports and constructed-response analysis gives teachers actionable detail to tailor instruction. Board members pressed for specifics on which interventions drove gains and whether improvements are translating into long-term outcomes across grades.

Key instructional changes and supports described by the school: - Expanded use of book clubs and the Writing Revolution to bolster ELA constructed-response skills. - Targeted professional learning and curriculum revision for math, including a revised math aid curriculum and emphasis on constructed-response items. - A district shift to the three-dimensional New York State science standards for Earth Science, with curricular labs and phenomenon-based instruction aligned to the new regents. - Continued co-teaching and redeployment of staff so more students access grade-level curriculum in general-education settings. - Daily extra help, an after-school student center (TLC), and use of MAP Accelerator to help teachers differentiate instruction.

Board members asked for follow-up information, including attendance data for regents review classes and elective enrollments, and recommended clearer parent communications to ease transitions into middle school. Administrators said they will return with additional attendance and program enrollment details.

The school concluded by outlining next steps to sustain gains: ongoing teacher collaboration, continued use of multiple assessment sources to drive instruction, and targeted interventions where gaps persist.