By ANTHONY BOTTAN
The district, which enrolled 3,103 students two years ago, graduated 82 percent of its seniors and 98 percent of graduates earned a Regents diploma, - among the highest percentages in the county. Ninety percent of students passed the English Regents, and 82 percent passed the Math A Regents.
The district also boasted high-ranking standardized test results in the lower grades: Ninety-two percent of fourth-graders passed the state English test, while 96 percent passed the state math test. For eighth-graders, the passing rates in both the English and math exams were a bit lower, at 84 and 85 percent, respectively.
While students' passing rates either equaled or surpassed the county average, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Santo Barbarino emphasized that the results are just one way to measure students' achievements. "We can't lose sight that the district is so much more than test scores," Barbarino said. "There are so many other things that enhance a student's education."
The percentages of students who scored at "mastery" levels in the Regents exams - with grades of 85 or higher - remained roughly the same as in 2005-06, 65 percent in English and 62 percent in Math A. Barbarino said that was an area in which he would like to see improvement. "It's something we take pride in," he said. "Naturally, we are always trying to improve, and we would like to see more students achieve the mastery level. We want to be sure that we're doing all we can for the students of all abilities in our district, so that they can achieve as best they can."
Ninety percent of all high school students passed the Global History Regents, while 97 percent passed the U.S. History and Government Regents. The district also saw a high passing rate in the Earth Science Regents - 93 percent - and a remarkable 98 percent passing rate in the physics Regents. The only drop-off was in the chemistry exam, where only 69 percent of students passed.
Barbarino explained that the district conducts analysis of students' test scores to help improve teacher instruction. "We examine scores and look at different areas that should be addressed based on how students performed in particular sections of a given test," he said. "We can analyze response patterns of students so that instruction can be better informed."
Sixty-four percent of Lynbrook's 2006-07 graduates earned Regents diploma with Advanced Designation, and 77 percent enrolled in four-year colleges. Barbarino said he was pleased with the district's report card, adding that it reflects the quality of education students are getting in Lynbrook. "It shows that teachers are providing excellent instruction and students are working at their level of ability," he said. "Now the challenge before us is to stretch that and bring the students to the next level."
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