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New Program and Selection Process
A new advanced math program and selection process was proposed to the Board of Education in February 2020 (just before the COVID pandemic). This policy change was proposed by:
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Dr. Passi (now Superintendent of Schools), who was then the new Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction brought in under prior Superintendent Butera
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Ms. Lauren Tallarine, the new Coordinator of the Math Department as of May 2018
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Adam Kuranishi, Administrator of Assessment and Data Analysis (now at Syosset Schools)
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Debbie Papadopoulos, Math Specialist at Shelter Rock Elementary
The Board members in attendance at this meeting included Ms. Aitken, Ms. Monterosso, Mr. Prinzo, Ms. Rule and Ms. Curd. None of these members are on the Board today.
Changes included:
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The new program was condensed from two years (grades 5 and 6) down to one (grade 6).
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The district would skip teaching grade 6 and admit only those who demonstrated sufficient grade 6 content at the end of grade 5 as shown by performance on a "secure exam". Students would need to learn grade 6 content outside of the district.
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A new selection process would
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Change the aptitude test from the InView test to the CogAT test; Under the prior evaluation system reading and math were considered; Now only the quantitative and nonverbal components of the CogAT test would be considered
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Grade 5 unit tests and final would not be considered; it would be replaced with a "secure exam" that tested grade 5 and 6 content
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A classroom work sample would be collected and evaluated. This was not included in the prior evaluation process.
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Renzulli Hartman teacher ratings would be incorporated into the selection process to evaluate student behaviors that indicate a "mathematical thinker"; teacher ratings were not included in the prior evaluation process
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The new program was not implemented until the cohort for the 2021-2022 school year due to COVID and the new proposal to start in grade 6, not grade 5.
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This policy has not changed since 2020. To do so requires a process of disclosure over 3 public board meetings and unanimous vote of the full board.
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