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Posted 7/28/10

Message from Dr. L. Oliver Robinson regarding the change in cut scores ("passing") for NYS gr. 3-8 ELA and math exams:

As a learning community Shenendehowa is staunchly committed to excellence in learning and teaching. We have and will continue to take the necessary steps to provide a high quality education to all students.

The recent transition, the changing of the scoring norms by SED is unfair to kids at best. Changing the rules after the game is over does not exemplify the predictor of those test of learning, but merely how arbitrary cut scores are and the little stock that is given to the values placed on the respective exams. The simple fact that SED can just manipulate the cut scores to show increased failure, shows that it is not a reflection of learning.

Further, the utter chaos due to the change in scoring practices places parents and schools in a tailspin trying to ascertain what the tests really demonstrate. The recent actions cast a strong cloud on the legitimacy of the testing process and the validity of the effectiveness of any future reforms even as New York has been identified as a finalist for Race to the Top.

The average scores earned by students were roughly the same as last year, indicating that the decline in “passing” rates was attributable chiefly to raising the standard, rather than a decline in student or school performance

While I fully support rigor and relevance in education, I am not pleased at all by the process and the lack of information from SED. School districts have taken the necessary steps to live up to the mandates, and we will do so again, and again. But it is time for those legislating the future of our schools and kids to hear directly how ill-conceived implementation of plans, regardless of how good the intent, are just as harmful as those with malicious intent.

In the past, students had to score a 650 on the exams to score a level 3 on the Math and ELA exams. Here are the new cut scores for scoring a level 3.

Level 3 (Performing at grade level)
                Math  ELA
Grade 8    673    658
Grade 7    670    664
Grade 6    674    662
Grade 5    674    666
Grade 4    676    668
Grade 3    684    662

 

More information is available from SED here: http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/Grade3-8_Results07282010.html

Posted on 7/26/10

Shen wins national public relations award for Shensational.

Shen won a Golden Achievement award from the National Public Relations Association (NSPRA) for Shensational.

As part of an effort to encourage increased understanding, SHENsational! Global Expo 2010 provided opportunities to experience multicultural education and entertainment, acknowledge diverse values, and prepare for more active participation in a global society.

The Golden Achievement Awards program recognizes exemplary public relations activities, programs and projects. All public and private schools and institutions are eligible. Each entry is judged against criteria, not other entries.

The 2010 Golden Achievement Award is designed as a major recognition program for great activities, regardless of the number of entries. Each entry was judged individually against the contest criteria - not against other entries.

Criteria

 

Each entry must be summarized on one page and be based on the four essential steps of all public relations programs. There must be clear evidence of each of these four steps:

 

• Research - Evidence of careful analysis of the need for the program, campaign, or activity and stated goals of the program or activity
• Analysis/Planning - Evidence of thoughtful planning to address the need for the program, campaign, or activity
• Communication/Implementation - Evidence that activities, including communication, were carried out as planned
• Evaluation - Evidence that an evaluation component was included in the development of the plan and carried out. The evaluation must include a way to measure success of the program, campaign, or activity and evidence of objective evaluation of communication techniques used.

POSTED 7/23/10

The State Education Department/Board of Regents Just Raised the Bar for Student Achievement

During the week of July 26, 2010, the New York State Education Department (SED) will release test scores for the grades 3 through 8 math and English Language Arts exams that were administered to students in May 2010. The results will reflect newly adopted procedures from SED that raise the scores students must earn in order to be considered “proficient” in a subject.

Like many districts across the state, this may cause a dip in test scores due to a change in the ‘cut scores’ that SED uses to determine whether students are achieving at high enough levels.

Under the state’s testing system, “cut scores” are used to classify students into one of four performance levels. Students at Level 1 are not meeting learning standards; those at Level 2 are partially meeting learning standards; pupils at Level 3 are meeting learning standards and those at Level 4 are meeting learning standards with distinction. SED has just raised the cut scores for Level 3, meaning students must achieve at higher levels than ever before in order to be considered proficient.

This change affects scores on tests that were already given, making it likely that fewer students will be placed in Level 3. If this happens, it means that the overall district scores may appear lower, as well.

Part of a larger trend to raise student achievement

SED’s change in the cut scores for the grades 3-8 math and English language arts scores are just one part of a larger effort in New York to raise student achievement. Education Commissioner David Steiner and his colleagues have been traveling around the state over the last few weeks to not only forewarn of an expected drop-off in test scores, but also to share details on the state’s new push toward tests that are less predictable and more demanding. In a report released by the Board of Regents in July 2010 entitled: "A New Standard for Proficiency: College Readiness," (pdf) the Regents used a variety of academic performance statistics to justify this change, saying, "The Regents raised (academic) standards a decade ago. Now the Regents are embarking on a new era of reform to improve student achievement and better prepare graduates for college."

In a press release on the SED Web site, SED Senior Deputy Commissioner John King said, “The data shows that schools responded to the assignment they were given—they worked hard to help students achieve standards as measured by the state tests that were being given at the time. And more students did, in fact, pass those tests. The problem is that those exams didn’t sufficiently test students’ abilities—the bar was set too low. But we’re changing that now. It’s time to end the annual debate over whether our tests have become easier and to put to rest questions about what it means to achieve proficiency in New York.”

In the same press release, Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch added, “For the past several years, we have seen more and more students scoring ‘proficient’ or better on our state tests. At the same time, however, their performance on the NAEP exam— the gold standard in testing— has remained essentially flat. We haven’t been testing the right things in the right ways. ‘Proficiency’ on our exams has to mean something real; no good purpose is served when we say that a child is proficient when that child is not. So we’re improving our assessments by raising cut scores, making the exams less predictable, testing more areas, and making the tests longer. But more rigorous exams are only one piece of the Regents broader reform vision— a vision that includes a more challenging curriculum, better training for teachers and principals, and a world-class data system. In short, we are lifting the bar to ensure that New York remains at the very forefront of the national effort to raise standards.”

For more information, go to the SED Web site by click here.

POSTED 7/14/10

New administrators appointed as a result of retirements:

Lisa Mickle will be the new principal at Okte Elementary vacated by the retirement of Deborah Price.

She currently serves as the academic administrator for special education grades 3-5. She has a bachelors degree in special education from SUNY Plattsburgh and two masters degrees from the University at Albany in educational psychology and educational administration & policy studies. She also has additional administration graduate work at the University at Albany. She began at Shen in 1988 as special education teacher and has taught at Orenda and Tesago. She is also a National Board Certified teacher. We are excited to have her in her new capacity beginning August 1.

Cathleen Drago, presently class assistant principal at High School East, will be the new associate principal position at High School East vacated by retirement of Claire Brown.

She has a bachelors degree from the University at Albany and a masters and advanced administrative study from the College of St. Rose. She worked at Mohonasen Central Schools as a special education teacher and then dean of students at the high school. She was an assistant principal at Saratoga Springs High School prior to coming to Shen in 2007. We are excited to have her in her new capacity beginning August 1.

Michael Gutchell, presently academic administrator for social studies, K-8, will be the new class assistant principal at High School West vacated by retirement of Michael Beson.

He has a bachelors degree from Niagara University and a masters in educational administration from the University at Albany. He worked at Mohonasen as social studies teacher and then dean of students at the middle school. He came to Shenendehowa in 2004 as the department administrator for social studies, gr. 6-8, with social studies teaching responsibilities. In 2007, he became academic administrator for social studies. We are excited to have him in his new capacity beginning August 1.

Michelle Tsao will be the new class assistant principal at High School East vacated by Cathleen Drago.

She has a bachelors and a masters degree from the University at Albany and additional graduate work at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She taught in the Ballston Spa Central School District. She most recently served as assistant principal at the middle and high school levels in Queensbury Central School District. We are excited to have her in her new capacity beginning August 9.

Lisa Knowles will be the new academic administrator for special education vacated by Lisa Mickle.

She has a bachelors degree from the College at St. Rose and a masters degree from the University at Albany. She was a pre-K teacher in Albany City Schools and a school psychologist in Saratoga Springs City School District. Most recently, she was the director of pupil personnel services in the Greenville Central School District. We are excited to have her in her new capacity beginning August 1.

Lisa Quinn will be the new academic administrator for special education vacated by Molly Towne.

She has a bachelors and masters degree from the College of St. Joseph (Rutland, VT) and additional graduate work at SUNY Plattsburgh. She was a special education teacher and then director of special education in South Glens Falls. Most recently, she was the director of special and alternative education at WSWHE BOCES. We are excited to have her in her new capacity beginning August 1.