Friday, July 30, 2010

Letter to Parents/Guardians from the Chancellor about the state scores

Dear Parent or Guardian:

As you may know, the State earlier this week released the results of the annual New York State math and English Language Arts (ELA) exams for students in grades three through eight.

I am sure you are anxious to see your child’s results. In the fall, all families will receive individualized reports from the State with their child’s test scores. This report will help you understand areas where your child needs work and will show you how your child is doing compared to other students.

Additionally, if your child was not promoted to the next grade in June and is currently enrolled in summer school, you will receive a letter later this week letting you know if your child still needs to take the citywide ELA and math exams in August. This decision will be based on your child’s final State test scores. If we had today’s State test results at the time summer school decisions had to be made, additional students would have qualified for summer school. Since these results were not available in time to place these students in summer school, they will instead receive additional support during the school year to ensure they master the content and skills necessary to succeed in their current grades.

If you prefer to get your child’s scores in advance of the start of school, we are making scores available to parents online. Beginning Monday, August 16, you will be able to access your child’s test scores through the DOE’s ARIS Parent Link website, which provides personalized student data.
• If you have visited the site before, or if you have your child’s student ID number and a temporary password, go to www.arisparentlink.org to log in. Once there, click on your child’s student profile to see your child’s results on the 2010 State tests.
• If you do not currently have ARIS access, see the end of this letter for more details.
As you know, we have made dramatic progress over the last several years. But this year, the State changed the way the tests were graded. As you may have heard, the State now holds students to a considerably higher bar compared to previous years. As a result, a score that last year was high enough to earn a rating of 3, or “proficient,” may only have earned a rating of 2, or “basic,” this year. The tougher grading system resulted in a significant drop in overall ratings across the entire State and here in the City. However, despite the drop in overall ratings, our students this year generally earned ELA and math scores that were consistent with last year’s results and, in some cases, were even better than last year.

Mayor Bloomberg and I applaud the State’s effort to continue to raise the bar and set higher standards for our students. Earlier this month, the State adopted new national Common Core standards, which will begin to influence what’s taught in schools. These standards will introduce more writing, problem solving, and critical thinking and help teachers and principals better connect learning across different subject areas and grade levels. Principals and teachers this summer are already working together to map out how these new standards will begin to affect their work with your child next year.

I expect each school in the City to analyze closely the State exam results and make the appropriate adjustments to curriculum and supports for students so that they can reach and eventually exceed these higher standards. I also expect each school to work with you and your child to identify areas of proficiency and strength, and areas that require extra support and attention.

Make no mistake about it—we have already made tremendous progress, but we realize we must do even better. We will not give up until every child is receiving a high-quality education and until every graduating student is ready for college or a career. Looking back, and looking ahead, I’ve never been more hopeful that we can reach this goal.

Sincerely,

Joel I. Klein
Chancellor

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Statements of Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein on Results of State Math and English Tests

Statements of Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Klein on Results of State Math and English Tests
07/28/2010

Statement of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg:

“Today, the State Department of Education released the results of the math and English exams administered this spring. This year’s scores maintained the major progress we have made raising student achievement levels in recent years, and the decision by the State to raise its benchmark for proficiency will help us raise achievement levels even higher. According to the new, tougher benchmarks, roughly 54 percent of city students in grades 3-8 are meeting or exceeding math standards, while just over 42 percent are meeting reading standards. Parents, teachers and principals should understand that these numbers do not mean our students are performing any worse than they were last year; it just means that there is a new, tougher benchmark for measuring our successes.

“In this increasingly competitive global economy, we need our students to have a strong foundation to be successful – and we are clearly headed in the right direction. Since 2002, we’ve seen an ongoing trend with New York City students outperforming students in school districts throughout the State. And I believe if we keep working together to raise our standards and give our students the support they need, there’s no limit to what they can achieve.”

Statement of Chancellor Joel I. Klein:

“After substantial progress since 2002, our kids should be proud. By any measure, on both the state tests and the highly respected National Assessment of Educational Progress, New York City students have far outpaced students in the rest of the state.

“Today’s lesson is that we have a long way to go – with higher expectations, our toughest and most exciting work is just beginning. Our goal has never been just proficiency, or even a high school diploma; our goal is to graduate all our students college and career-ready. It’s time to come together to help our students meet this great challenge. It will take an unprecedented effort from school officials, teachers, students, and parents; and it will take a more rigorous set of standards that require our students to do college-level work.”

Monday, July 26, 2010

Changes to the State Scores in ELA and Math

On July, 20, 2010, the New York State Board of Regents announced approved scoring changes to the Grades 3-8 Math and English assessments, raising the bar on the level of proficiency. The changes will be reflected immediately by lower test scores when the New York State Education Department releases the results this week.

The approved changes resulted from a comprehensive review of how student performance on the state tests relates to performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam, future performance on Regents exams, and first year performance in college. The study concluded that the state “exams didn't sufficiently test students' abilities - the bar was set too low” according to Senior Deputy Education Commissioner John King.

Currently, scores classify student proficiency into four categories: Level 1 - not meeting learning standards, Level 2 - partially meeting learning standards, Level 3 -meeting learning standards, and Level 4 - meeting learning standards with distinction. The tougher grading will likely impact school districts across the state. “Fewer kids are going to hit that 3, which indicates proficiency,” King said. A press release from NYSED stated the Regents’ goal is to provide all students with a world-class education that prepares them for college, work, 21st century citizenship, and lifelong learning.

In the link above, there is a NY Times article explaining the justification behind the re-calibration of the scores.

About Parent Coordinator Phyllis Corley

My name is Phyllis Louise Lattimer-Corley. I am married and have one son.

I was the educational director of a day care center in Nassau County for sixteen years prior to the birth of my son. I planned to be a stay-at- home mom for five years until my son went to kindergarten. Well, that didn’t happen! I got involved in his elementary school, PS 178, first as a class parent, then in the library, and later became PTA president for three years.

When my son moved on to middle school at MS 74, I again took on the role of PTA president for two years. Gee, I guess I wasn’t really staying at home. My son, James is now a freshman at Binghamton University. I am fortunate to be writing this blog, as I enter my sixth year as parent coordinator of my son’s wonderful alma mater.

Welcome to our school family. I am looking forward to an exciting school year. There are so many fantastic activities that have been planned for both you and your child. I encourage all parents to be partners in your child’s school.
Ø Attend Parent Teacher Conferences
Ø Go to PTA Meetings
Ø Participate in Parent Workshops
Ø Volunteer to help at school events.

I am here to assist you in any way that I can. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or just stop by for a cup of coffee.

Phyllis Corley,
Parent Coordinator

Corley's Corner

Corley's Corner
Parents and Staff turn out for Corley's Ladies' Night at Strike Long Island (November 2008)

Mrs. Corley gets ready to read at the Barnes and Noble Fundraiser Event

Parents and Staff participate in Corley's Cupcake Creations Parent Workshop


Our Student Council Gives Back!

Our Student Council Gives Back!
2009 Student Council President Chrysalis Terrado and her cabinet pose in front of dozens of toys donated by Holliswood families for our annual toy drive (December 2008)

Upcoming School Closings and Half Days


To view the official NYC Dept. of Education 2013-2014 School Calendar, visit


http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D45BBFC5-BB4E-4C6B-ACE7-F7E15D8AA1BE/0/20132014SchoolYearCalendar.pdf

It is also anticipated that we will add half days for professional development for our faculty during the 2013-2014 school year (subject to UFT and PTA approval). An announcement will be made.



In the event of an emergency closing or delayed opening due to weather, please call 311 or watch your local news channels. When NYC public schools are closed, our school will be closed.















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