By LARRY MAIER
Test scores, class size top list of concerns
Before the start of the Oct. 25 Community Input Meeting, students from Baldwin Senior High School entertained the school board and residents with songs from the school's upcoming production of the musical "Bye Bye Birdie." The song selections seemed to set the tone for the meeting, as board members later tried to "put on a happy face" while concerned parents asked "What's the matter with our kids' test scores today?"
Also on the evening's agenda at the middle school was the subject of reducing class sizes. Several audience members questioned the school board's reluctance to state a position on the issue and challenged its diligence in seeking state and federal funds for reducing class sizes in Baldwin's schools.
Board member James Scannell defended the school board's decision to establish a committee to study the issue of class-size reduction. "I don't think that by going through the process we have put in place that the board is trying to say that we don't think that reduced class size would be beneficial," said Mr. Scannell. "We are taking the opportunity to consider some of the other issues and get some information to help us figure out the most we can do with the limited resources we have."
Mr. Scannell did recognize that the pace of the committee process might be frustrating many community members.
When the evening's discussion shifted to Baldwin's falling math and English scores on state assessment tests, parents described feeling "shocked," "concerned," and "frightened" when they learned of the fourth- and eighth-grade results from the exams taken last school year. They were eager to hear from the board as to why student performance had slipped and what is being done to improve future test results.
While board members admitted to being disappointed with the test results, they adamantly defended the quality of education offered in Baldwin's schools. Dr. Kathy Weiss, superintendent of schools, and members of the board reminded parents of Baldwin High School's excellent record as regards students passing the Regents exams.
"The reported purpose of the [state tests] is basically to help predict the chances for success on meeting the Regents requirements once these kids get to high school. I would suggest that, even without these tests, we have been doing pretty darn well," said Mr. Scannell.
Mary Jo O'Hagan, school board president, concurred, "At the end of the race, this 12-year marathon, [Baldwin students] do very well," she said.
Also noted was the fact that test scores were down statewide and that Baldwin students preformed above the state average.
Dr. Weiss discussed recent changes in curriculum and instruction that the district has enacted, in part, to help Baldwin students perform better on future assessment tests. Among changes highlighted were "literacy blocks" and "reading rocket" programs in the early grades, as well as an increased emphasis on the types of mathematics problem-solving skills emphasized on the state exams.
The school board expressed a reluctance to "teach to the test" in order to boost scores. "We do not want to gut our programs, take out all of the creative, enrichment opportunities and put in test-prep workbooks," said Ms. O'Hagan. "Many districts have done that. That's the quick-fix way and we would look better in the papers."
Most residents in attendance agreed with that approach in principle, but still desire something more be done. "We do not want our teachers teaching to the test either," said one parent. "But we are being compared to districts which are."
Ms. O'Hagan conceded that perhaps the district has reached the point where it must consider changes in instructional focus. "We all need to determine what we want from our educational system," said Ms. O'Hagen.
Toward meeting's end, several parents challenged the school board on whether it had properly applied for state and federal funds for reducing class sizes in Baldwin. Dr. Lee Chapman, deputy superintendent for administration, indicated that Baldwin has applied for and received just over $60,000 in class-size reduction aid.
"Baldwin is not a community that regularly receives a great deal of grant money," said Ms. O'Hagan. "It is not because we are not trying."
