An analysis of four years of student performance on state assessments (grades 3-8) and Regents exam scores/graduation rates (grades 9-12) was shared with Pioneer Board of Education members at their Oct. 18 regular meeting.
The data reflected not only Pioneer students’ scores on state benchmarks, but also outlined other demographics such as students in need of special education services. Currently a quarter of Pioneer students are identified as having special needs.
Michael Irizarry, Director of Curriculum/Instruction and Technology, presented the figures along with Arcade Elementary Principal Mellisa Devitt, Pioneer Middle School Principal Melissa Prorok, and interim Pioneer High School Principal Carol Townsend.
Dr. Irizarry explained that data for the years of 2020 and 2021 was incomplete due to the Covid pandemic-related shutdown and cancellation of assessments by the state. By way of comparison, he also displayed testing results for select school districts of similar size and demographics as Pioneer.
Interim Superintendent Dennis Ford said an instructional priority for Pioneer this year and in coming years will be to address learning loss related to Covid, as evidenced in part by student performance on standardized testing.
"I have tremendous confidence that we're going to see nice strides as you move through the year because the staff is that good to address that," he said.
Full presentation: https://5il.co/1jmxm