The Hudson City School District’s Administration and Board of Education use a variety of tools, including data analysis, to measure student achievement. A progress report was presented to the Board Tuesday night, Oct. 8, 2024, by Dr. Elsa Kortright-Torres, the district’s new Executive Director for Teaching and Learning.
Overall, the report – based on New York State Education Department assessments – identified numerous areas where improvements are required. It was a follow-up to Dr. Kortright-Torres’ Sept. 24 presentation to the Board on curriculum initiatives to nurture and advance student achievement. Read an account and find a link to the video of the meeting here.
Dr. Kortright-Torres prefaced her presentation Tuesday by noting that the data analysis is rooted in the District’s Six Keys for School Improvement, announced by Superintendent Dr. Juliette Pennyman last school year. Dr. Kortright-Torres shared a PowerPoint with these findings:
- The data indicates that at the Elementary Level, Grades 3-5, in both English Language Arts and Math, results have been stagnant pre-Covid and post-Covid.
- The data indicates that in Science at both the elementary and junior high school levels, results have drastically gone down from pre-Covid to post-Covid times.
- The data indicates that there is a gap in performance between General Education students and students with disabilities in grades 3-8 in both English Language Arts and Math.
- The data indicates that all students in grades 3-8 were not successful in reaching more than 35% proficiency in Math. This is more apparent in Grade 8.
- The data indicates that all students in Grades 3-8 were slightly more successful in English Language Arts when they reached junior high school levels.
- The data indicates that there is a gap in performance in Algebra I and Geometry Regents as compared to other Regents.
- English Language Learners, Black and Hispanic students lag behind their White and Asian/Pacific Islander peers in most Regents Exams.
- The number of students taking Advanced Placement exams are between two (Calculus) and 17 (U.S. History), significantly lower than the total enrollment for each grade level.
- The numbers of Black, Hispanic and Multiracial students are significantly lower than the Asian, Pacific Islander and White students that participate in Advanced Placement exams.
- Most students who participate in Advanced Placement exams are of Asian/Pacific Islander descent.
After the presentation, Board of Education member Lakia Walker said the data shows another form of diversity in the school district and emphasized the importance of change. “This shows what the gaps are and where there are issues,” she said. “We have to address this and cannot ignore it. Our students are suffering. If we continue to do what we were doing before, we are not going to get results. This is the true picture of our District.”
Superintendent’s Report
During her Superintendent’s Report, Dr. Pennyman provided several news updates, prefacing her presentation saying, “This is my ‘why’ – when students are happy and learning. This is why I’m here every day.”
- Introduced Chante L. Brooks, the District’s new Executive Director of Human Resources. She attended her first Board of Education meeting.
- Noted that Oct. 2 was National Custodian Appreciation Day. “The District is deeply grateful for all the hard work they put into keeping our facilities clean and comfortable for everyone. Their attention to detail in keeping a clean and safe environment is outstanding,” she said.
- Reported that October is National Principals Month. “The District wants to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our principals who lead our schools,” she said. “Their vision and leadership move us forward!”
- Showed videos highlighting the new Bluehawk Café, formerly the cafeteria, at Hudson Junior Senior High School and how much students enjoy it.
- Said Hudson High School held Homecoming on Sept. 27. “Thanks to the efforts of students, faculty and staff, this year’s Homecoming was a great success!,” she said.
- Announced that fifth-grade students competed in their classes to be chosen as their class Math Counting Bee winner. Winners went to the Capital Region Counting Bee in Albany on Oct. 2. Dr. Pennyman also said students in grades 3-5 enjoyed a presentation by the “Human Calculator,” Scott Flansburg, on Sept. 27.
Retirement Recognition
On behalf of the Board of Education and the Administration, Board President Willette Jones congratulated three teacher’s aides on their retirement and their long service to the Hudson City School District:
- Joan Van Deusen, 27 years of service
- Kathryn Ferrusi, more than 25 years of service
- Gayle Buccheri, more than 23 years of service.
Other Actions
Elsewhere, the Board of Education also approved contracts, appointments, resignations and a leave of absence. Learn more by visiting https://go.boarddocs.com/ny/hudsoncsd/Board.nsf/Public. Click on the Oct. 8 Meeting Agenda and then click each item for details. View the meeting on the Hudson City School District’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa_TQIO6CMo.
The next Board of Education meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Hudson Junior Senior High School Bluehawk Café, formerly known as the cafeteria. The meeting also can be viewed live, or on demand, on the YouTube page.