A Message from the Superintendent of Schools-Winter 2003

     Robert P. Mooney, Superintendent of Schools, Kearny, NJ

While driving to work this morning I got behind a slow moving construction vehicle. I thought “my patience is really being tested this morning.”  I began to think of how many things a person tests before leaving home: the weather to see how to dress; the coffee for its sweetness or temperature.

Students are also tested on a daily basis. There are the familiar tests such as a surprise pop quiz, the unit or chapter test, the marking period test and perhaps a semester test or final exam.  Testing in school is no stranger to any of us. However, as we begin the 21st century, students are required to prepare for and to participate in state mandated tests with strange acronyms such as ESPA, GEPA and HSPA: Elementary School Proficiency Assessment, Grade Eight Proficiency Assessment and High School Proficiency Assessment. These tests are given to measure the effectiveness of the curriculum and to monitor the progress of our students mastering the state mandated Core Curriculum Content Standards.

The Core Curriculum Content Standards and Workplace Readiness Standards are relatively recent curriculum initiatives required by the Department of Education. Three decades ago, we had the BSI - Basic Skills Inventory; about fifteen years ago the Early Warning Test; five years ago the High School Proficiency Test, recently replaced by the more difficult HSPA.  

From the little red schoolhouse of one hundred years ago, tests have been used to assess the efficacy of a pedagogy or curriculum. Following the test assessment, an analysis of student performance or lack thereof was conducted, remedies were proffered, and students were monitored for improved performance. Things are no different in the high-tech classroom of the 21st century. Students are tested, test results studied and a course of action is implemented to improve test scores.

In Kearny High School students scored 10-15% above the state average on the 2002 High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA). Major incentives and strategies supported these results; among them:

·         Implementation of reading and writing packet across the curriculum,

·         Terra Nova Testing and interdepartmental strategies supporting the CCCS,

·         Use of HSPA Prep workbooks and HSPA format for all exams,

·         Alignment of tests and quizzes with the HSPA; computer assisted instruction, three to four week intensive review using sample HSPA tests,

·         Required semester examinations for all students in grades nine to eleven

In the elementary schools, similar initiatives and incentives are taking place to improve the ESPA and GEPA test scores; among them:

·         Added pre-Algebra to all eighth grade programs,

·         All 7th and 8th grade students take primary math and two cycles of GEPA Math. Additional GEPA Math teachers hired; new textbooks for K-5 purchased that are aligned with ESPA/GEPA; new GEPA test preparation materials purchased,

·          Two Master Teachers were hired for mathematics and early childhood. These well trained, experienced, outstanding instructors, in addition to their other duties, serve as mentors for both new and veteran teachers,

·          diagnostic tests administered to all fourth grade classes and GEPA Math classes; departmentalization in all schools in grades 5/6,

·         Class size reduction initiative in grade 4 according to need and in grades 1-3 based on availability of staff,

·         ESPA pilot summer program; parent involvement in grades Pre-K to 8; before and after school academic programs,

·         After analyzing ESPA/GEPA/Terra Nova/ tests, focus areas were identified by teachers in grade level groups and a day is set aside to “focus” on these areas.

The Master Teachers, the Reading Recovery Program, Class-Size Reduction, Early Childhood Initiatives, Computer Assisted Instruction, and focus days are only a few of the many programs and practices implemented by our district so that every child in our district succeeds and meets the Core Curriculum Content Standards. As test scores continue to improve, everyone in the Kearny School District continues to explore new and exciting initiatives to provide the best instruction in a safe and secure environment for all of our students.

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