August 20, 2013
Demonstrating greater growth than the state, on average, Hamden students district-wide showed particular improvements in reading and writing. For example, students progressing from grade five to six grew by 11 percentage points in the percent scoring above goal in reading; those same students demonstrated an eight percent increase in goal scores in writing.
At the school level , similar gains were realized. Hamden High School students showed up to a 5% increase in students at or above the state’s goal in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. Hamden 7th and 8th grade students showed growth in Reading, Writing, Science and Mathematics, with significant increases in the percentage of 8th grade students reaching Proficiency as well as At or Above Goal in all subject areas.
Hamden elementary school progress was also impressive. For example, Church Street School and Ridge Hill School demonstrated more than 5% growth in math, reading, and writing at grades 4 and 6, while Dunbar Hill School showed similar gains in grade 5.
District administrators in Hamden are particularly pleased with this year’s results. Superintendent of Schools Frances Rabinowitz commented, “I am elated to see the hard work of our teachers, administrators, students and families pay off. In the past few years, we have implemented new, more rigorous curriculum and placed increased emphasis on strategic instructional strategies and interventions for students who need extra help. We have always placed great value on the importance of a great school climate and the school-home connection. All of these areas of focus are helping to increase student achievement.”
Over the last two years, Hamden has been integrating the Common Core State Standards into all curriculum documents. In the early grades, many of the Common Core skills that are assessed in mathematics are not the same as those assessed on the Connecticut Mastery Tests. This may have caused the significant decline in grade three mathematics scores statewide and in Hamden Schools as well. In 2014-15, Connecticut will implement the Smarter Balanced Assessments in grades 3-8 and in grade 11 which will measure the Common Core Standards. These new assessments will replace CMT and CAPT.
Rep. D’Agostino is in his first term serving the 91st House District in Hamden.