Tracy Mosher, principal at Roberts Street Elementary School’s presented an update on the fourth through sixth grade Comprehensive Development Educational Plan at the Oct. 28 board of education meeting. The district’s main CDEP goal is to improve student achievement with 80 percent of all students passing state assessments.

Fourth grade Cohort data showed an 11 percent decrease in performance in English Language Arts and a 7 percent decrease in performance in math scores.

Mosher said it was a disappointment but the Building Planning Team took several factors into consideration.

“We had to look at the transition from grade three to four,” Mosher said. “The transition is huge from South Side Elementary to Roberts Street Elementary. It’s a big change for students here at Canastota.”

Mosher told the board that maybe they should consider beginning a transitional program for students entering fourth grade to help calm their fears. They could expose them to the options available in fourth grade so they are not scared, she said.

The team also considered time management when analyzing the drop in test scores.

“Time management is given to [third graders] and not in grade four,” Mosher said. “Fourth graders have to learn to manage their time.”

On a much more positive note, 81 percent of the fourth grade class is passing state tests in science, according to the data.

The grade five Cohort data showed an 18 percent increase in ELA and 7 percent increase in math.

Sixth grade data showed the largest increase with 22 percent of the students passing state assessments in math. The class is currently at 80 percent. ELA improved by 4 percent.

Mosher said new elements were added to the plan.

Universal screening was implemented, which focuses on specific areas of strength and areas to be addressed for each student.

“This is the first year we’ve done this,” Mosher said. “We are analyzing the data now.”

The team also implemented guided reading for fifth and sixth graders and added a progress monitor for each student.

“Students that are at risk are probed within two weeks, instead of waiting six weeks,” Mosher said. “If what we are doing is not working we can take that to the Student Support Team and then take it to the next level.” The team then decides what they can do to help that student.

“We always go back to the data,” Mosher said.

Mosher said she was excited about the creation of a student/teacher/parent/administrator character education committee. Fifth and sixth grade students who have shown character will be selected for the committee. She explained that students could take ownership of a recycling program for example.

In other news

Superintendent Fred Bragan’s employment agreement was approved. His contract with the district expires June 30, 2012.

Science teacher Stacey Stagnitti’s request trip to Key Largo to visit the Marine Lab with 10 students in April and a CHEEP grant have been approved. The board approved $2,500.

J&S Draperies will replace the blinds and shades at the Roberts Street School complex at a cost of $38,479.

Upcoming events

The high school drama production will be held Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m.

Parent/teacher conferences will be held Nov. 18 and 20.

The Canastota Children’s Council’s seventh and eighth grade musical will be held Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m.

The board will meet again on Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m.