
WEST HAVEN,
Nov. 23, 2015 — The West Haven Public School District is making
progress in closing the achievement gap among groups of students and is a
“standout district” in that area, according to a local education
advocacy group.
ConnCAN, the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement
Now, announced the news this fall in a report on standardized state test
results from the 2015 Smarter Balanced Assessment for grades 3-8 and
11. West Haven was recognized for narrowing achievement gaps affecting
black and Hispanic/Latino students in both English language arts and
math.
Achievement gaps are defined as differences in
academic performance when results are examined by way of student
subgroups, such as race, socioeconomic status and gender. The ultimate
goal for the district is to close the achievement gap and see all
student subgroups meeting or exceeding goals.
“Closing the achievement gap has been a high priority
for our district for years, and so we’re very pleased to be seeing and
to be acknowledged for these advancements we’ve worked so hard to make,”
said Assistant Superintendent of Schools Anne Druzolowski. “Targeted
interventions during the school day, family math and literacy events at
night, better communication with non-English-speaking families, and
numerous resources and support services in our schools are making a
difference every day, and we’ve just got to keep building on that
momentum.”
West Haven was included in lists of standout districts
that all serve higher percentages of black and Latino/Hispanic students
and have more students in those subgroups scoring at the two highest
test result levels of “meeting” or “exceeding” goal.
Regarding test results for black students in English
language arts, 31.1 percent are meeting or exceeding goal, as compared
to 30.3 percent statewide. In math, 15.6 percent of West Haven black
students are meeting or exceeding goal, as opposed to 13.9 percent
statewide.
As for Hispanic/Latino students in West Haven, 36.5
percent are meeting or exceeding goal in English language arts, while
the state number is 32.8 percent. In math, that number in West Haven is
17.9 percent, compared to 17.3 percent at the state level.
Statewide results say 55.4 percent of all students
tested in grades 3-8 and 11 met or exceeded goal in English language
arts, and that 39.1 met or exceeded goal in math.
The district’s multi-pronged approach to closing the
achievement gap has been benefitting all students across the city and
has redefined roles of schools in the community.
Family nights and “homework diner” events mean
youngsters, Mom, Dad, siblings and teachers are coming together after
school to share dinner, play educational games and discuss which
everyday tasks at home can reinforce math and reading skills. Teachers
are incorporating certain academic websites in the classroom that
students can continue using when at home.
Technology—through interactive white boards, beefed-up
computer labs, mobile laptop carts, specialized computer software and
apps— is playing an ever-growing role in city schools so that students
who may not have a computer or smart phone at home are still learning 21st century skills required by academia and employers.
Real-world problem-solving scenarios are focal points
in classrooms to demonstrate how the day’s lesson is relevant to student
lives. And bilingual staff members are working more than ever with
families for whom English is a second language to ensure they’re aware
of resources available to them, to help them build a relationship with
their school, and to encourage their involvement in their children’s
education.
“These measures have made an impact on all students in
our schools, but of course it’s very meaningful to know they’re
breaking down the achievement gap and helping students meet their
potential and understand the limitless possibilities for their future,”
Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro said.
Druzolowski and Savin Rock Community School Principal
Taryn Driend also point to the district’s implementation of all-day
kindergarten as a strategy expected to become a leading factor in the
narrowing of West Haven’s achievement gap. Savin Rock was the first
elementary building in the school system to receive the full-day K
schedule last year and has been serving as an important benchmark in
this year’s district-wide roll-out of the initiative.
Though the importance of pre-kindergarten has only
grown over time, the school district continues seeing large numbers of
students who have never attended the programs, or who come from other
countries that don’t emphasize or grant easy access to early childhood
education. Still other youngsters don’t have access to books, technology
or other supplies that would help prepare them for elementary school,
and some are also English Language Learners.
“With some of our students, we do have to play
catch-up when they come to us for kindergarten. When we still had the
half-day schedule, it was challenging to do that while also introducing
them to the academic and social skills and lessons normally taught in
kindergarten,” Driend said. “Full-day kindergarten has made a dramatic
difference in the lives of all of our students. There’s now more time to
dive deeper into each instructional activity, and we have additional
time for art and music, gym and recess. From students’ confidence in
themselves and their abilities, to their social development, we’re
seeing gains all around from all-day kindergarten. And those
advancements will carry over into first grade and beyond.”