By DEBBIE ROSEN
But stricter graduation rules concern officials
Even though the majority of local students made the grade when it came to Regents-exam results that were released last week, local school administrators remain cautious because of graduation requirements that are becoming increasingly demanding.
Phase one of the state Board of Regents' plan to eventually make all students pass five Regents exams in order to graduate kicked in last school year with English. Math has been added this school year, and by 2004, Regents will have to be passed in English, math, science, Global history and U.S. history. And by 2005, a score of at least 65 will be needed to pass each exam, up from the current minimum score of 55. The only exception granted by the state is to special-education students, who may take a Regents Competency Exam, instead, to qualify for graduation.
The latest results show that students at high schools in Oceanside and West Hempstead, which includes Island Park students, are up to speed when it comes to English. Every Oceanside student who took the exam in 2000, and 98 percent of those from West Hempstead, passed.
Passing grades in math were slightly lower. Ninety-eight percent of Oceanside students and 82 percent from West Hempstead passed the Math A exam.
With Regents requirements and, thus, graduation requirements continuing to toughen, the superintendent of Oceanside schools said high expectations are a good thing, but only when taken over a period of time.
"The state is on the right path setting higher standards for students, but as far as the assessments go, they're doing it too quickly, and I think it's a mistake," said Dr. Herb Brown. "This year, eighth graders will have to take five assessment tests in a six-week period. I think it's wrong ... it's too many."
Dr. Leslie Mann, assistant superintendent of the West Hempstead School District, said he believes the new standards will pay off in the end. "With new requirements, we get better-prepared kids and it makes students live up to their potential," he said.
"My goal is to have one-hundred-percent [passing], and until then, I will not be completely satisfied.
"But we're making progress, and that's what I want to see," Mr. Mann said
Dr. Brown spoke similarly. He and other Oceanside administrators are looking into why 5 percent of their student population fell into the lower range of passing, scoring from 55 to 64, on both the English and math Regents exams given last school year. As of 2004, a score of 65 will be needed to pass Regents exams.
Meeting the tougher standards
Administrators in both Oceanside and West Hempstead have made changes to help students meet stiffer graduation requirements.
West Hempstead High School provides students with several support services, including the addition of a ninth period to the school day, which can be used for elective classes or extra help for students in need.
Saturday Regents review classes were put in place and will be held six to eight weeks prior to each Regents test.
Additionally, Mr. Mann said the district has reached out to keep parents informed. "We have beefed up parent notification," he said. "We don't want parents to be surprised about expectations or if a child is struggling. We want children, parents and teachers to work together as a triad."
The Oceanside district implemented measures to help students achieve success in English, math, social studies and science. Students are identified as at risk in math by their eighth-grade teachers, as well as by results of state assessments. These children are given an extra session of math, a lab period, every other day. These lab periods are offered to students at risk in all subject areas, with students needing more help in English receiving it in 11th grade, the school year in which that Regents is given.
Also, Regents review classes in every subject are offered six to eight weeks prior to the exam, every evening during the school week.
Staff development keeps teachers in tune, with lead teachers at the elementary level in all subject areas, and chairpeople at both the middle- and high-school levels.
Students who took the English and math Regents exams spoke about them. Michael Kessler, an Oceanside senior, said he was confident entering the English test, but unsure afterward about he had done. "I didn't like the English Regents for one reason: It's so subjective, where any teacher can grade differently," he said.
He attributed his pre-test confidence to his teachers. "I took Mr. Timothy Watkins' journalism class as an elective. That class really helped my organization skills," he said. And the high expectations of Nancy Padgett, his British Writers Honors teacher, gave him much-needed preparation for the exam, he said.
Another student felt well-prepared for the Sequential One Math test, but only because his mom hired a tutor. Matthew Weintraub, a 10th grader and a Sequential Two Honor student, said he struggled in ninth grade. "Once my mom got a tutor, I took the test and found it wasn't really difficult," he said, "but I felt my teacher did not prepare me for the test. My teacher this year, Mr. Ross, explains everything. The work is harder, but I surely am getting it."
But stricter graduation rules concern officials
By DEBBIE ROSEN
Even though the majority of local students made the grade when it came to Regents-exam results that were released last week, local school administrators remain cautious because of graduation requirements that are becoming increasingly demanding.
Phase one of the state Board of Regents' plan to eventually make all students pass five Regents exams in order to graduate kicked in last school year with English. Math has been added this school year, and by 2004, Regents will have to be passed in English, math, science, Global history and U.S. history. And by 2005, a score of at least 65 will be needed to pass each exam, up from the current minimum score of 55. The only exception granted by the state is to special-education students, who may take a Regents Competency Exam, instead, to qualify for graduation.
The latest results show that students at high schools in Oceanside and West Hempstead, which includes Island Park students, are up to speed when it comes to English. Every Oceanside student who took the exam in 2000, and 98 percent of those from West Hempstead, passed.
Passing grades in math were slightly lower. Ninety-eight percent of Oceanside students and 82 percent from West Hempstead passed the Math A exam.
With Regents requirements and, thus, graduation requirements continuing to toughen, the superintendent of Oceanside schools said high expectations are a good thing, but only when taken over a period of time.
"The state is on the right path setting higher standards for students, but as far as the assessments go, they're doing it too quickly, and I think it's a mistake," said Dr. Herb Brown. "This year, eighth graders will have to take five assessment tests in a six-week period. I think it's wrong ... it's too many."
Dr. Leslie Mann, assistant superintendent of the West Hempstead School District, said he believes the new standards will pay off in the end. "With new requirements, we get better-prepared kids and it makes students live up to their potential," he said.
"My goal is to have one-hundred-percent [passing], and until then, I will not be completely satisfied.
"But we're making progress, and that's what I want to see," Mr. Mann said
Dr. Brown spoke similarly. He and other Oceanside administrators are looking into why 5 percent of their student population fell into the lower range of passing, scoring from 55 to 64, on both the English and math Regents exams given last school year. As of 2004, a score of 65 will be needed to pass Regents exams.
Meeting the tougher standards
Administrators in both Oceanside and West Hempstead have made changes to help students meet stiffer graduation requirements.
West Hempstead High School provides students with several support services, including the addition of a ninth period to the school day, which can be used for elective classes or extra help for students in need.
Saturday Regents review classes were put in place and will be held six to eight weeks prior to each Regents test.
Additionally, Mr. Mann said the district has reached out to keep parents informed. "We have beefed up parent notification," he said. "We don't want parents to be surprised about expectations or if a child is struggling. We want children, parents and teachers to work together as a triad."
The Oceanside district implemented measures to help students achieve success in English, math, social studies and science. Students are identified as at risk in math by their eighth-grade teachers, as well as by results of state assessments. These children are given an extra session of math, a lab period, every other day. These lab periods are offered to students at risk in all subject areas, with students needing more help in English receiving it in 11th grade, the school year in which that Regents is given.
Also, Regents review classes in every subject are offered six to eight weeks prior to the exam, every evening during the school week.
Staff development keeps teachers in tune, with lead teachers at the elementary level in all subject areas, and chairpeople at both the middle- and high-school levels.
Students who took the English and math Regents exams spoke about them. Michael Kessler, an Oceanside senior, said he was confident entering the English test, but unsure afterward about he had done. "I didn't like the English Regents for one reason: It's so subjective, where any teacher can grade differently," he said.
He attributed his pre-test confidence to his teachers. "I took Mr. Timothy Watkins' journalism class as an elective. That class really helped my organization skills," he said. And the high expectations of Nancy Padgett, his British Writers Honors teacher, gave him much-needed preparation for the exam, he said.
Another student felt well-prepared for the Sequential One Math test, but only because his mom hired a tutor. Matthew Weintraub, a 10th grader and a Sequential Two Honor student, said he struggled in ninth grade. "Once my mom got a tutor, I took the test and found it wasn't really difficult," he said, "but I felt my teacher did not prepare me for the test. My teacher this year, Mr. Ross, explains everything. The work is harder, but I surely am getting it."
