AFTER REVIEWING SAT9 RESULTS PSS maps out plan of action
The State Board of Education has urged Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos to carry out concrete remedial measures directed at improving student learning after reviewing latest SAT9 results, which indicated a slight growth in students’ average percentile scores.
BOE member Anthony Pellegrino, during a recent board meeting, asked the commissioner to employ a PSS-wide program of actions that would address student difficulties in various subject core areas.
For one, Dr. Inos cited the school system has intensified its Reading resource program specifically designed for students with noted Reading difficulty.
“But how does a teacher know which kid he/she needs to focus on?” Mr. Pellegrino raised.
The commissioner explained that each classroom teacher keeps a record of student data that helps the teacher create lesson plans that apply specifically to a single student’s point of weakness.
“This means that the teacher can work on individual needs of students,” said Dr. Inos.
PSS has also devised other forms of implementing corrective learning methods through non-academic assessments that would gauge students’ mental, emotional, as well as psychological well being.
Dr. Inos said PSS’ objective is to satisfy the multiple dimensions of education which include the mental, physical, academic, and psychological health of the child.
“We’re trying to offer aside from academic lessons having some kind of a professional gathering for kids to air out what’s ailing them. To determine if they are hurting inside and if this is an obstacle to their learning,” she said.
PSS has employed the services of professional therapists in assessing these at-risk students, according to Dr. Inos.
“We stress this part recognizing that achievement is not just academic achievement. It’s also attitude and social behavior where character education comes in. So later, we will be seeing referrals that will also help us pinpoint who are the kids in this particular school acting up more so than this school,” said Dr. Inos.
Results of this year’s SAT9 which the school system conducted on grades 3, 5, 8, 10, and 11 are reportedly an improvement over last year’s record, according to PSS.
Dr. Inos said gauging the students’ aptitude level through SAT9 has served its purpose since PSS now has determined which subject areas students need the most help.
“Now that the numbers are done, I am now aware of the cluster of kids who are actually reading as well as those who can read but are not comprehending,” said Dr. Inos.
