submitted by Erin Clary, Communications Specialist, New Lebanon CSD
On August 14 the Board of Regents and the State Education Commissioner released the results of the spring 2014 Grades 3-8 Math and English Language Arts (ELA) assessments. Overall, New Lebanon CSD’s results indicate growth from the previous year, and this data will allow the District to focus its efforts in areas requiring further improvement.
The first administration of assessment of Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS) was seen in 2013. In 2014 New Lebanon is tracking the progress of its students from 2013 to 2014. For example, New Lebanon is comparing the proficiency of 2013 third-graders to those same students as 2014 fourth-graders. This comparison is important because it allows the District to focus on student growth. This growth information has proven more useful than simply comparing the performance of one year’s students at a particular grade level against the next year’s students at that same grade level.
New Lebanon CSD analyzed the data of students who scored 3s and 4s – indicating the student is on track for college and careers – compared to statewide results and other districts in the county and one nearby district in Rensselaer County. New Lebanon CSD students are outperforming those in other districts and in many cases they are outperforming the statewide scores. Even in cohorts where the proficiency percentage was lower than the statewide average, most results show growth from the previous year. In areas where the proficiency level stayed the same, the scores were at or above the statewide average.
According to New Lebanon CSD Superintendent Leslie Whitcomb, the growth in student achievement is partially attributable to the District’s in-house coaching model of professional development.
“This early data shows New Lebanon CSD students are clearly making progress with the new Common Core State Learning Standards,” she said. “We are continually tweaking the curriculum to ensure students are gaining the skills and knowledge they need to be college and career ready. Further analysis of the data will allow us to focus our professional development and curriculum alignment where it is most needed, as well as on individual student’s needs.”
Highlights Of The New Lebanon CSD Grades 3-8 Exam Results
ELA
• In Grade 3 – where students took the test for the first time – significantly more New Lebanon CSD students scored 3s and 4s compared to the statewide average. This cohort also outperformed all other districts in the county and another nearby district in Rensselaer County
• In Grades 4-8, where the cohort results can be compared to the previous year, New Lebanon CSD students showed growth in nearly all grade levels. In Grades 6 and 7, more New Lebanon CSD students scored 3s and 4s than did all other schools on the county as well as one other nearby district in Rensselaer County.
Math
• In Grade 3 – where students took the test for the first time – fewer New Lebanon CSD students received 3s and 4s compared to the statewide data, however this cohort did outperform those of two other districts in the county.
• In Grades 4-8, where the cohort results can be compared to the previous year, most cohorts performed below the statewide average, however nearly all cohorts saw growth. The Grade 7 cohort also outperformed all other districts in the county as well as one other nearby district in Rensselaer County.