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Testing Shows Better English, Math Scores In Pelham Elementary Kids

PELHAM, N.Y. -- Elementary schoolers in Pelham have improved scores in English and math, according to their scores on assessment tests the New York State Department of Education has recently released.

Pelham Schools Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo

Pelham Schools Superintendent Peter Giarrizzo

Photo Credit: Contributed

An official presentation of the results of the 2016 English Language Arts and Math student assessments for grades three to eight were provided a summary of the statewide results, according to a District announcement.

Assistant Superintendent Steven Garcia will organize a team to analyze the data in the coming weeks and months.

Maria Thompson, director of Humanities and Thomas Callahan, director of Math and Science will work with Pelham principals and teachers to break down the data to learn more about individual student performance and needs, as well as better understand grade‐level, school, and district trends, said the release.

“We see improved student proficiency in both ELA and Math throughout the District, yet we know that there is much more work to be done as we aspire a standard of excellence for all students," said Superintendent of Schools Peter Giarrizzo.

"I have every confidence that under Dr. Garcia’s direction, his team and our teachers will mobilize our resources to use any useful data points to build upon the good work that we are doing on behalf of our students with a critical eye toward enhancing the teaching and learning process."

The State Education Department developed a new public data portal to facilitate access to school district data. 

Garcia said that an initial examination of the data reflects efforts to improve curricula and instructional alignment across all four elementary schools. 

“We have made tremendous progress to integrate a systemic approach to literacy and mathematics at the elementary level. We must build upon this work throughout the district."

Data specific to Pelham is accessible through the state portal. Earlier in the spring, the State Education Department posted 75 percent of questions from the 2016 Grades 3‐8 English language arts and mathematics tests online at EngageNY.org

Giarrizzo reaffirmed that limitations continue to exist this year in comparing results with previous years and with other districts due to the significant number of students who did not take the tests in the spring, both in Pelham and statewide, said the announcement.

In all, 160 Pelham students in grades three to eight refused to take tests in English language arts and 173 in math. Statewide, 21 percent of students did not sit for these tests. 

“One of our core values is to embrace a process of continuous improvement. Accountability is important to us, and we strive for excellence in all that we are doing using many data points to inform our work with teachers and students. The NYS assessments remain only one of many data points that the district uses to assess student growth and achievement," Giarrizzo said.

Click here to see sample score reports and for resources to understand the reports.

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