By Jason Scheer
At the April 19 meeting of the West Hempstead Board of Education, Dr. James Grossane, assistant superintendent, presented the district's 2003-04 report card, a measure of academic performance in grades four and eight, as well as graduation rates. The report cards are issued by the New York State Education Department.
For the most part, the report card showed strong performance for West Hempstead when compared with schools across the state. For example, at the Cornwell Avenue School, 98 percent of fourth-graders received level 3 and 4 scores on the state mathematics exam. Levels 3 and 4 are defined as "well above" state requirements and performance with "distinction," respectively. Specifically, 60 percent scored at level 4, a very encouraging figure.
On the English Language Arts exam, 43 percent of students scored at level 3 and 35 percent scored at level 4.
Compared with what the NYSED has deemed similar schools, West Hempstead's performance on both the math and ELA exams were strong. For math, 54 percent of fourth-graders in similar schools scored at level 3, and 33 percent scored at level 4. As for the ELA exam, 54 percent of students in similar schools achieved level 3 grades, and 16 percent received level 4.
Results at the George Washington Elementary School were similar. However, fewer students achieved level 4 scores in either exam. In the math exam, 46 percent of fourth-graders scored at both levels 3 and 4. For the ELA, 64 percent achieved a level 3 score compared with 21 percent at level 4.
Both elementary schools show dramatic improvement in science performance. At the middle school, eighth-graders exceeded performance at similar schools in math, ELA and science. However, one area of concern is that on the science exam, a greater portion of students - 63 percent - scored at level 3 than level 4 - 25 percent. At similar schools, 50 percent scored at level 3 and 38 percent at level 4.
The results at the high school were also encouraging. The report indicates that 94 percent of students who entered the school in 1999 graduated. That's a significant increase when compared with the 87 percent who graduated in the class that entered the previous year.
In addition, 77 percent of students earned Regents diplomas in 2003-04. Only 73 percent and 72 percent of graduates in 2001-02 and 2002-03, respectively, earned Regents diplomas.
Grossane also explained how the district is working to improve performance in the future. The plan included, among other things, setting higher Regents diploma expectations, full day-kindergarten, professional development opportunities for faculty and Regents workshops. "We're really working very hard and very diligently," Grossane said. "Everyone in West Hempstead takes these scores and this testing program very seriously. We want our children to do the best they possibly can, and we're pleased with the progress, we want to do better, and we're well on our way."
Fast track
During the April 19 meeting, the Board of Education recognized the record-setting performance of West Hempstead senior Elvis Lewis. Lewis recently took first place in the New York State Indoor Track & Field Championship in the 300 meters and is ranked eighth in the nation.
"Elvis Lewis is one of the most successful high school athletes West Hempstead has ever produced," school board President James Mariano said. "He has won numerous all-county honors throughout his career and is a leader amongst his peers."
Comments about this story? JScheer@liherald.com or 569-4000 ext. 282.
