Craftsbury Academy's Renovations Recognized by Efficiency Vermont
Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment NECAP Results The fall NECAP results are in, and there is cause for
both celebration and continuing hard work.
In 3-8 reading, 80% of Craftsbury students met or exceeded the standard
as compared to 74% for the State. In
math, 62% met or exceeded, as compared to 65% in the State. The only elementary writing assessment
happens in grade 5, and 42% met the
standard in this area, as compared to 46% in the State. The reading score is
slightly higher than the overall State score, and the math and writing scores
are slightly lower. On the fourth grade
science assessment given last spring, Craftsbury students scored significantly
higher than the State average, 73% as compared to 53% for the State.
This year, 11 students took NECAP 11th grade
assessments, just 2 students over the number required to make scores
public. Of these students 63% met the
standard in reading (State=72%), 36 % met in writing (State=48%), and 18% met
in math (State=36%). It is important to
keep in mind that these results reflect all of a student’s education up to that
point in time, not just the year prior to the time the test is given. Math is the area of greatest concern, and we
are looking at the results as a call to action on several fronts. One thing we are doing this year is targeting
fundamental math skills for the current 10th grade class, and we are
progress monitoring achievement for students who need extra support. We are also making certain that a high
percentage of 9th graders and students moving into high school are
successful in at least two years of college prep mathematics. Only 50% of the current 11th grade
completed algebra I and geometry prior to taking the NECAP math test. Lack of this content makes it nearly
impossible to meet the math standard.
| These results show that we are moving in the right direction. The professional development in math, writing, reading, and science over the past few years is making a difference in student achievement. Another important factor in our forward movement is the district curriculum work in math, literacy, and science. Additionally, our implementation of Response to Instruction is helping us identify students who need additional help in math and literacy. Progress monitoring makes it possible to track student progress much more frequently than we can through yearly NECAP assessments. The newly established Core Team meets weekly to analyze data and coordinate interventions. These steps will also improve student achievement, especially in math. As students currently in elementary and middle school move into the high school, secondary assessment scores will improve significantly.
You can find complete NECAP results for all schools in the State on the Vermont Department of Education website.
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The Arts
The 7th and 8th grade students presented Fiddler on the Roof on Thursday, February 24 at 6:30. The middle school team and students worked diligently to bring this musical production to Craftsbury. Show production and direction was a collaborative effort by Ms. Barbieri, Ms. Church, Ms. Brightenbach, Mr. Stein, and Leona Stein. Every student in grades 7 and 8 was involved in the show. All elementary students attended the final dress rehearsal on Wednesday, February 23.
Several Academy students recently tried out for the All-State Music Festival and the North East Music Festival. 85% of those who auditioned were accepted! Congratulations to the students and Ms. Brightenbach on our school’s strong showing. |