NEWS
District Addressing Needs of Students with Disabilities at Chatham Middle School
The New York State Education Department has identified Chatham Middle School as a “school in need of improvement” based on state assessment results in English Language Arts for students with disabilities. Test scores for students at the middle school level indicated that the “students with disabilities” subgroup did not meet improvement benchmarks set by the state. Approximately 12 percent of students at Chatham Middle School are considered students with disabilities. Schools that do not show adequate yearly progress for two years in a row in the same subject, grade or subgroup are considered in need of improvement.
It should be noted that, in all other areas of assessment, students met state standards and Chatham Central School District remains a “district in good standing” according to the State Education Department.
Chatham Central School District utilizes such state assessments, as well as other data to identify and address areas of our educational program that need improvement. As a result, the District has already put in place measures to improve the progress all our students make, including those with disabilities.
“Chatham sets high standards for our students, and we are continually working to improve our academic program to ensure all students meet their full potential,” said Superintendent of Schools Cheryl Nuciforo.
To close the achievement gap for students with disabilities, the District is:
- implementing teaching methods that allow staff to better address the different learning needs of all students
- working closely with a BOCES special education school improvement specialist to implement ongoing improvement in core instructional areas for students with disabilities
- providing academic intervention services and additional literacy programs for students
- implementing scheduling changes at the Middle School to increase focus on academics
- providing additional professional development for staff
When a school in need of improvement makes adequate yearly progress for two years in a row, it is no longer considered in need of improvement.
For more information on state assessments or the No Child Left Behind accountability system for schools, please visit the NYSED website…