February 6, 2006

Dear Students, Families and Staff:

We have turned the corner on the second half of the academic year. If one theme captures the ambition of this school year so far it’s the phrase “high stakes testing”. Days after we completed the English language arts testing, our fifth- and eighth-graders were required to take “field tests” for the ELA. Field testing provides a question pool for future years. The complaints that I receive about testing have not been around the issue of accountability for schools. The general complaints center around the loss of instructional time forced by the need for testing, teacher training, scoring and preparation. 

This year we scored the grade 4, 6 and 8 tests regionally (at BOCES) with other districts. This process takes more time but insures quality control of scoring. This year we scored grades 3, 5 and 7 tests with our neighbor Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD. This choice allowed us to benefit from scoring with another district and simplified and shortened the process. The increased number of tests to be scored in New York State has slowed down the time frame whereby parents and students receive scores. Typically, families received results in the spring. This year we will not receive results until early fall.

You may have noticed that many of your children are using a “graphic organizer” called the “Duanesburger”. This document helps young writers organize their writing. Earlier in the year, I mentioned our efforts to work with staff on improving literacy and writing skills through professional development with a consultant. The in-service training has gone well. After only a half-year, our faculty have begun utilizing new writing techniques which we believe will demonstrate benefits for all of our students. 

In about a week you will be receiving a mailing that describes a number of upcoming programs – information on becoming a school board member, elementary school open house, Duanesburg Days and a number of other special programs. Please look for this information and mark your calendar to join us when you can.

Finally, we have used three snow days so far this year and remain hopeful that we will “weather” the winter without cutting into school vacation plans. School will be in session on the contingent holiday on Friday, May 26th. 

Sincerely,
Mark Villanti, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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