Parents press Stamford district to reverse 4x4 schedule after Q1 data briefing

At the Stamford School District board meeting on Nov. 25, Superintendent Dr. Rhodes presented first-quarter high-school data showing higher average daily attendance and gains in on-track and pass/fail metrics. Parents and teachers, however, used the public-comment period to sharply criticize the district’s 4x4 high-school schedule, saying gains may reflect a shortened curriculum rather than stronger learning.

Dr. Rhodes told the board the district’s high schools are averaging just under 92% daily attendance so far this year and reported a roughly 3 percentage-point drop in the district-wide failure rate compared with last year. She presented on-track rates for first-time ninth graders as: AITE 96%, Stamford High 90% and West Hill 84%, noting the data come from the RISE network and that sample sizes differ by school and year. Dr. Rhodes also reported reductions in AGR (attendance grade review) incidents at AITE and West Hill.

During public comment, parents pressed a different interpretation. Alyssa Bernstein said parents and teachers had repeatedly asked the district to engage and accused the administration of ignoring concerns; she urged immediate changes rather than waiting for a new superintendent. Melissa Broder, who said teachers report shortening curriculum to keep pace with the semester schedule, argued that improved pass rates do not prove better learning: "By shortening the curriculum, they're improving the pass-fail rates," she said.

Other commenters, including Joseph Miranda and Carol Anne Miranda, reiterated concerns about administrator availability, mental-health strain on students and the need for a community-driven reset of priorities. Several speakers asked that the board move quickly when the new members assume office to reexamine the schedule and budgeting priorities.

Board members said the presentation was informational and that detailed follow-up will be scheduled for the TLC committee in January to allow committee-level review and question-and-answer time. The chair and committee leaders committed to place the Q1 data on the TLC agenda so board members and the public can pursue clarifying questions and follow-up analysis.

What was presented on Nov. 25: attendance near 92% ADA; a districtwide 3-point reduction in failure rate; first-time ninth-grade on-track rates reported as AITE 96%, Stamford High 90%, West Hill 84%; AGR student counts reduced notably at AITE. What parents say: those metrics may reflect curricular compression and schedule-driven changes rather than durable learning gains; they asked for an urgent review and more transparent engagement.