Following low Regents test scores, the Sewanhaka Central High School District set a new goal at the start of the school year: to increase the passing rate of all 10 Regents exams.
At the district’s Sept. 24 Board of Education meeting, Richard Faccio, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, presented the June regents scores to the board. The regent’s exams were for ELA, Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Living Environment, Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, Global History and U.S. History. The presentation included the number of exams given out for each subject, the number of students who passed — 65 percent or above — and the number of students who got “mastery” — 85 percent or above.
The weak topic, as pointed out by Faccio, was some of the science courses. Over 10,000 Regents exams were given out to high school students in the district. Out of all the students who took the regents, 73 percent passed the Living Environment exam, 81 percent passed the Earth Science exam, 65 percent passed the Chemistry exam and 54 percent passed the Physics exam.
Faccio said usually Global History is the hardest exam students take in their four years of high school, but this year it was a few of the science tests, which took him and the district by surprise. He said the district will will be meeting and working with the science teachers and leadership team to concentrate on “good instruction, along with focusing on reaching comprehension in the content area to help boost the students scores in the subject area.”
“While we’re pleased with the Earth Science scores, the Chemistry results were not as positive,” Faccio said. “The passing and mastery rate can be improved by working closely with the leadership team of science to improve scores on this exam.”
Faccio said Physics was another Regents exam that did not meet the district’s expectations. He said the district needs to investigate the data to understand why students did not do well in this subject.
“We have only had a few months with this data, but it is alarming and we share it openly because it is an area that has our attention,” Regina Agrusa, superintendent of the Sewanhaka Central High School District, said.
The district’s administration recently underwent changes, such as a new principal at Sewanhaka High School, a new principal at New Hyde Park Memorial High, a new assistant superintendent for student support services, an assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction and a new superintendent of the district.
Agrusa, who became the district’s superintendent on July 1, said although she can’t change the Regents’ results, she will focus on the new administration to figure out ways to mentor the teachers. She also said she would concentrate on using the data to inspire students and motivate them to improve their scores.
One resident spoke about how the science scores were upsetting. Agrusa said her hope by showing Faccio’s presentation would be that the district would be able to communicate to that the district was both proud of some areas and acknowledge others that need additional work.
“Under a new central office with changes in leadership, I ask you to understand that this does have our attention and will continue to collaborate with the leadership in the science areas,” Agrusa said.
Faccio said that the district formed the Council of Instructional Excellence at the start of the school year to combat these low test scores. The membership on the council consists of central administration and principles and district coordinators.
“The curriculum meetings will try to bring folks together and share some best practices and continue to commit to the professional development of our staff,” Agrusa said.
At the meetings, there will be discussion about the curriculum and focusing on the fundamentals of “good teaching and learning.” Faccio said the council met this week with district chairpeople and coordinators. In the future, the CIE will work on strategies to help increase the passing and mastery rate in all Regents exams.
