Schools Aiming For Improved Math Scores

public schools are implementing district target goals for mathematics based on last year's Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) results.

Superintendent Freeman Burr reported that 85-89 percent of 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students are at the proficient and above level, but the administration is looking to further increase that amount.

"Our data does support that we are one of the top districts in the state closing the achievement gap," Burr said during a presentation at the 's February meeting.

"To make the 90 percent mark -- our main challenge -- we have to focus on the students who aren't there, in addition to keeping the students already proficient if they are," he said.

The post-test comparison data (see pie charts) follows each grade level as they progress to the next. In other words, this year's 4th grade data is being compared to that same class's 3rd grade data from the previous school year, and so on.

Each class's individual data is further broken down into two groups: students who receive full-priced lunch versus those on the free/reduced lunch program.

"Third grade was a target for us last year," Burr said. The 3rd to 4th grade growth chart shows an overall slight decrease in students above grade level, as well as no overall change in the amount of students below grade level.

Burr also said that the 4th to 5th data "is a mixed bag."

Ideally, Burr and the administration would like to see the amount of "top students" increase by three percent, and the "bottom" students decrease by 10 percent.

Burr said he plans to keep the BOE updated going forward. "We will be coming back in May to show the Board a comparison from fall to spring," he said.

Pie Charts Key:

• Green = above grade level on assessments
• Blue = at grade level
• Red = Below grade level
• "F/R" = students in the free/reduced lunch program