By Sarah Opdahl

On Thursday, October 5, New Fairfield’s Board of Education (BOE) was pleased to learn that a good amount of progress was made in standardized test scores. The scores relay a story of a district that is bouncing back from pandemic lows. Math scores have historically proved challenging for the district and continue to be an area identified as having room for improvement; science was specified as an area of focus as well.  Advanced Placement (AP) and Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) scores are lower than desired and are topics of interest for the district’s admini stration and BOE members.

Superintendent Dr. Ken Craw said he hoped, in viewing the test results, that BOE members take away the notion that math coaches are helping to make a difference in student achievement, though a plan is needed to support growth. He also said, “the other headline is in literacy, where we see some gains but we don’t see the level that we were at pre-pandemic yet.” He praised the high participation rates in tests, such as the Next Generation Science Standards.

New Fairfield High School Principal Mr. James D’Amico walked the BOE through the high school numbers, starting with AP courses. At just over 50% of AP students earning a 3 or above, making them eligible for college credit at most schools, he said “we’re obviously not thrilled with that number.” It was noted that AP data is “trickier than some of the grade level standardized tests because it is highly specific.” He also pointed out, “we have had some turnover in our AP teaching staff and it does take a couple of years to fully come on board with all the expectations, even as a veteran teacher.” He explained, there is an initiative for ramped up professional development occurring for teachers and some shifts in responsibility happened this year. D’Amico mentioned that the six Early College Experience courses offered at the school are gaining in popularity. With a passing grade, a student can earn credit at specific public state schools—UCONN and Western Connecticut State University.

Regarding SAT scores, D’Amico said, “we know we can always do better.” He is happy that the English scores rose and there is a “positive trend” in math. In next steps, high school faculty plan to further embed inst ructional practices and increase discrete activities that will help students prepare for the SATs.  D’Amico went on to give results for The Next Generation Science Standards, reminding the Board that there is “room for growth.” The high school science department chair is focused on ways to increase coaching, provide professional learning, as well as classroom support.

In the lower grades, the numbers are similarly progressing, post-pandemic. Looking at numbers comparing New Fairfield to the state average and again at numbers through the lens of their own progress, the story of where the district is making gains, or needs improvement, is evident. Math has grown to pre-pandemic levels and in some grades has exceeded those levels, which was welcome news, as math is consistently a challenge for the district. English has struggled and there is an even bigger emphasis now on the impotence of the fundamentals. Elementary Principal Ms. Allyson Story said, “we are really focusing on having all the teachers really unpacking those priority standards that are being tested and really understanding what’s being tested.” Staff are working with iReady assessments and coaching to target teach students. Administrators are also considering what impact chronic absenteeism has had on the results. In science scores, it was noted that the numbers are strong, but are likely lower than they could be because the school focused so heavily on math and English in the rebound from the pandemic’s learning loss.

BOE members were surprised to hear that the budget planning process has begun for the 2024-25 budget, with Craw gathering data from district staff. Given the lengthy and difficult budget season this past year, there were only a couple of months off between budget cycles.

In his Chairmen’s comments, Mr. Dominic Cipollone stated that he supports the potential idea of having high school staff and students host a debate for local candidates. “We talked about getting students involved in civics and in participating—what better way than having our upperclassmen in the high school lead the discussion and ask questions with our candidates in the proper forum?”

Craw spoke about the State’s new kindergarten age requirement. While currently if a child was five before December 31, parents could enroll them in September, however a new requirement now states that if a child is born after September 1, they are not eligible to enroll in kindergarten until the following year. He explained, a committee has formed to identify how best to support families, as there is a waiver process that the State has included.  He went on to give three primary tips for families to focus on this school year: 1) attending school as much as possible; 2) parents should reach out to school officials if there any issues; and, 3) regarding student performance, “the most important thing you can do with your child is read to them and have them read to you.”

The next regular Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 7:00 p.m.