Math 'Camp' for 'Not Proficient' Juniors Approved by School Committee
Approximately 42 percent of juniors at East Providence High School would not graduate right now based on their 'high-stakes testing' scores in math.
Approximately 42 percent of the juniors at East Providence High School would not graduate today based on their math scores under Rhode Island’s “high-stakes testing” requirement for graduation that kicks in nex year.
To help deal with those 141 students in the Class of 2014, the School Committee approved Tuesday night spending $17,000 for a “summer math camp” that will not be required, only recommended. The vote was unanimous.
The so-called camp was proposed by Janet Sheehan, the high school principal. It is expected to run about four weeks at the end of this summer after the traditional “summer school” ends.
“I’ve already talked to those juniors,” Sheehan said. “They know that if they don’t participate they will be on their own.”
Those 141 juniors scored as not proficient on the NECAP (New England Common Achievement Program) tests given last fall. They must demonstrate at least partial proficiency or show some improvement in math to graduate, said Rebekah Gendron, a curriculum administrator for the East Providence schools.
Gendron made a presentation on NECAP scores to the School Committee at its Tuesday meeting. This “cohort” of juniors faces for the first time a graduation requirement that includes NECAP scores, she said.
Anthony Ferreira was the most vocal School Committee member about the so-called “camp,” which means taxpayers will be paying twice for math instruction those students have received once already, he said. He asked Sheehan about attendance requirements.
“I have no doubt that people will support the math camp to help these students,” he said, but he wants to make sure those students show up regularly.
Sheehan said she could not guarantee that all the students will show up and take it seriously. About 26 of the juniors, in fact, are within a few points of scoring at “partial proficiency” – the minimum requirement needed for high-stakes testing, she said.
They may choose to take a chance that they will improve their scores when they take the test again in their senior year, Sheehan said, one of the options available to them.
To fund the math camp, Interim Superintendent John DeGoes said he is moving $18,000 from a salary line item for a middle school vice principal position that was vacated earlier this year. There is still money left in that account, he said.
Separate requests for middle school math camps were rejected by the School Committee because there is no money in the budget for those proposals.
Sharon
10:03 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I think the idea of a math camp is excellent. I would however, like to see parents sign a form saying that they will ensure that their child attends every day. Then, any day that their child isn't there, they get a phone call. No high school student is going to want to go to summer school, especially for a subject they find hard. Just like taking bitter medicine, it is in their best interest and the adults in their lives need to see that they do it. Enough complaining about how hard this test is. The US ranks behind 31 countries in math proficiency. I'm not willing to say that children from these other countries are smarter than American children. Just maybe, they take education more seriously? Glad to see EP addressing the need for more time on task with our youngsters who need it.
DD
1:40 pm on Saturday, March 16, 2013
Hummm I would think the school would have a "Math Camp" all along for students who need help to obtain proficient in NECAPS. Of course now the money will come from another place.. it goes on and on! The NECAPS are difficult, and put strain and anxiety on students. If students cannot graduate because of these tests, then high schools will have to start building additions!