School leaders emphasize ‘one district’ MCAS strategy

By Mike Berger

After sending home a letter to parents about each school’s MCAS scores, school administrators presented a plan to the School Committee last week with the goal of unifying the district curriculum and improving all student scores this spring.

Superintendent Jeff Granatino reported that last year’s scores as a whole were above average, adding that there were a number of areas where students continued to have success and other areas where they made “significant gains.”

“At this time, however, there are areas where we need to improve,” he said.

The state Department of Education has now shifted its focus onto student growth percentiles, i.e., the amount of annual student improvement in the areas of English, math, science and technology. The JFK Elementary School was designated as a Level I school — one of 96 out of 380 schools designated with the highest student aggregate scores. The Hansen just missed the Level 1 designation and the rest of the Canton schools are designated as Level 2 schools.

“Our goal is to see that each of our schools make the appropriate gains to move into the Level 1 category,” said Granatino. “We want all of our students to make progress, and we will use the resources and strategies available to us to see that this happens.”

Jen Henderson, district curriculum director, outlined to the committee the strategies they will focus on at the district and school levels. At the district-wide level, an emphasis will be placed on the use of data to analyze growth patterns of individual students and student groups; the implementation of Common Core writing in all content areas; an alignment of Pre K-12 curriculum based on the Common Core Mass. Standards; additional science coursework; and a professional development vision that enhances teacher knowledge and comfort level with strategies that increase student achievement.

The elementary level will emphasize ongoing Title 1, reading, and math interventions; providing more challenges to students who need to be challenged; and the use of best instructional supports and approaches for students on Individual Education Plans (IEP).

The middle school will emphasize the continued use of math and reading extension classes as well as math enrichment opportunities; teacher training in “Keys to Literacy” to promote a universal system of note-taking and text comprehension techniques; and the continued use of inclusive practices for all students.

At the high school, an emphasis will be placed on providing extension classes for all “at risk” students; offering challenges and increasing expectations of all students; and using “best transitioning” practices for students going from eighth to ninth grade.

Echoing some of these strategies, CHS Math Department Chair Dr. Michael Curry gave a progress report of his department to the committee. He said the department is ahead of the curve by already instituting a new math curriculum, which the state wants in place by the next school year. He is also working with the middle school math department to ease the transition to the new curriculum.

“It’s the same math, but we are bringing it to more people to a wider access and with multiple strategies,” Curry said.

He also reported that the high school had impressive MCAS scores in math but added that the school “can do better.” Of the 207 students in grade 10 who were tested, 61 percent scored advanced, 22 percent scored proficient, 14 percent scored “needs improvement,” and 2 percent scored in the warning or failing category. Curry said that since he has been chair, the number of students taking Advanced Placement courses has nearly doubled from 23 to 44, with the average score rising from 2.17 to 2.34 (out of 5).

In other news:

* Luce Principal Robie Peter gave a report of activities at the school this year. Peter noted that the school population is down from 626 to 564 students as many of the kindergarten students were moved to the JFK. Peter said the Luce is hosting many family-oriented events this year, such as a movie night and a family picnic. She also said the Luce has joined the Hansen on a before-school fitness program in cooperation with Reebok.

* Police Chief Ken Berkowitz and CHS School Resource Officer Chip Yeaton were due to give an overview of the ALICE Active Shooter program and its impact on school lockdown protocols. The chief did not attend the meeting because of a death in his family and the committee postponed the discussion until December 6.

* CHS junior Felicia Lee collected $229 during lunches and donated the money to the American Red Cross for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

* The committee presented a plaque to Jill Stevens for her two years of service on the School Committee and her dedication to the children of Canton. Stevens, who is a teacher in Sharon, resigned this summer because her husband has a new position. Granatino said Stevens was a critical member of the committee and a huge supporter of education in Canton. Committee Chairman John Bonnanzio said Stevens was a “tremendous asset during a complicated period on the committee.” Stevens, in accepting the plaque, said the public should understand what a time-consuming job it is to serve on the committee. “But it made me a better teacher because of it,” she said, adding that she may consider a return to the committee at some point in the future.

* Gene Manning, chairman of the town’s Economic Development Committee and president of the Canton Association of Business and Industry, donated a new American flag to the Hansen School after he drove by the school and saw it was damaged by the recent hurricane.

* School Business Manager Ken Leon reported that the school will have a cash capital budget of $443,000; however, requests from administrators have approached $1.5 million. Leon and Granatino will present the budget to the committee at its next meeting on December 6 at 7 p.m. The school capital plan is due to the Finance Committee by December 30.

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