By Liz McBreen
"We are extremely proud of the improvements that the students have made," said Principal Vincent Butera of Washington Street School in Franklin Square. He attributes the high scores to the hard work of students and teachers throughout the school. "We do not think of these tests as effecting only the fourth grade, but as a schoolwide test."
Washington Street offers academic intervention services for children who have trouble meeting state standards, as well as an after school program for students who continue to struggle with their grades. There was a 32 percent improvement on the ELA scores at Washington Street.
Almost twenty-nine percent more Clara H. Carlson Elementary School students scored on a high level last year than in 1999. "We are very happy about the increase of students scoring high on these tests. It shows that they are properly prepared, and they are equipped with the skills they need to do well on them," said Matthew Zagami, Principal of the school.
Zagami credits the successful implementation of a curriculum map created by Superintendent Dr. Maria Palandra several years ago, for the improved test scores. The district-wide mapping ensures that the resources and materials in the Elmont schools are on par with schools in other districts.
Last month, Gotham Avenue Elementary School in Elmont was honored with the Pathfinder Award by the New York State Business Council because of the exceptional increase of students scoring high marks on the ELA exams. Principal Marshall Zucker explained that there have not been any major changes in the curriculum at Gotham Avenue recently.
"Every year, we try to look for all possible improvements. I like to think that they are going on constantly each year." Forty-eight per cent of students scored higher on the ELA exams last year than in previous years, and the math scores improved by 30 percent. "The most important part of this is that the students see how much they are capable of achieving," said Zucker.
Principal Joseph Cirnigliaro of West Hempstead Middle School is happy about the improvements, but would like to see even more students scoring above average. "We have modified the curriculum to reflect state standards, and we are looking to change it even more so that we can continue to improve."
Continuing the positive trend may become more difficult in the year to come. With proposed state aid cuts across the board, the Franklin Square, Elmont and West Hempstead districts may have to do more with less in the upcoming school year.
Carol Eisenberg, Superintendent of the West Hempstead School District, says the budget cuts create "a disastrous situation." She went on to say, "as a district, we have to come together and look at programs, transportation and educational services, and begin to make cuts." The possible 14 percent decrease in aid for the West Hempstead district means that it will lose $788,000.
Administrators are aware of the fiscal difficulty that was created on a state and federal level on Sept. 11, but they do not feel that cutting school aid is in the best interest of the state. "It is obvious that their priority is not the children," said Eisenberg.
The Elmont district is one known for spending less per pupil every year than any other district in the county. Since there is no excess in the Elmont budget, it is one of the districts that stands to lose the most, should the proposed cuts that were announced in late January become a reality. "We will be forced to cut essential services. It will be devastating," said Palandra.
