August 24, 2009
 
Dear Parent or Guardian,
 
We have received preliminary scores this week from the 2009 MCAS tests.  These initial results are unofficial and are not publicly released until the end of September when you will receive your child's scores. The results indicate a continuation of progress for Day overall, as well as challenges for some subgroups. As a school we earned a "very high" No Child Left Behind (NCLB) performance rating in English Language Arts and a "high" performance rating in Mathematics.  The overwhelming majority of our students scored at the proficient or advanced performance levels on both of these tests.  Our aggregate scores for the entire school continue to meet improvement targets, and by many measures, we have done quite well.  However, the preliminary returns indicate that certain subgroups fell short of the performance targets set by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP.)  In English/Language Arts, two subgroups - low income students and students with limited English proficiency - did not make the targeted improvements; in mathematics, two subgroups - low income students and students who receive special education - did not improve within the required target range.  While we are happy with the results in the aggregate, we are committed to help ALL groups of students to reach their improvement targets.
 
One of the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act is for all students to achieve proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics.  The law requires us to measure progress for subgroups of students according to their socioeconomic status, special education status, Limited English Proficient (LEP) status, and race.  Because we have not achieved (NCLB)Adequate Yearly Progress targets for one or more subgroups for three years or more in both subjects, Day has been identified with an NCLB status of "Improvement Year 2, Subgroups" in English/Language Arts and "Corrective Action - Subgroups" in Mathematics.
 
It will take a concerted effort on the part of everyone in our school community to make the changes necessary to help students in these subgroups to improve their scores.  We have already planned some interventions: 
 
1.       As was the case last year, all students will receive a license to use "Study Island," an on-line math and English Language Arts skill practice website.  This internet program was incorporated into math classes last year, and its use will be expanded to English and special education classes this year.  The site is web-based, and is available for student use both in school and at home.  These licenses will continue this coming year, and should provide all students with the opportunity to practice responding to questions similar to test items on MCAS tests.
2.       For the first time this year, we will be offering small group mathematics classes to certain at-risk students in 7th and 8th grades. 
3.       We will continue to offer Communications classes in the 7th and 8th grade to students who need extra support in language arts, and are strengthening the curriculum of these classes.
4.       We are now in the process of identifying students who would benefit from support in mathematics and language arts during team extension time.  Identified students will work with their regular math or English teacher.
5.       We will offer homework club and a variety of study groups for at-risk students.
6.       The focus of our professional development work for teachers this year will be collaboration to improve student achievement.  They will continue the work begun during the BRIM initiative to develop common assessments that will help them to measure students' progress toward the benchmarks.
7.       As we analyze our most recent results in more detail, additional plans will be implemented in response as well.
 
Involving parents as partners in the education of their children is an important part of NCLB.   We encourage you to become involved in helping us raise the achievement of all students by attending parent-teacher conferences, volunteering to help the PTO, attending meetings and coffees that we hold for parents. Providing a study area at home and encouraging your child to keep up with his or her homework and to take advantage of opportunities for extra practice such as "Study Island" are two important steps that you can take to enhance your own child's achievement. 
 
The majority of Day students have performed well overall on the state mandated tests.  But that simply is not good enough.  We are committed to helping ALL students to reach this high level of achievement, and look forward to a promising school year.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 

Gina M. Healy

Principal, Day Middle School

(617) 559-9100