Superintendent Presents District Goals
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The first Board of Education work session of the school year began on a positive note as Garden City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen presented his annual list of district goals. He started the meeting on Monday evening with the goals his administration has accomplished, which were then followed by those that are currently still being worked on, and those that the district plans to focus on this school year.

Dr. Feirsen, who presented his first list of goals three months after beginning his job in August, 2005, explained that many items are carried over from year to year. "We don't really let go of something until it is totally cooked," he said.

He also explained that developing a list of goals is a challenge since "education is pulled in 17,000 different directions." Dr. Feirsen listed legal mandates, stakeholder groups, pending and current legislation, auditors, and most importantly, the educational needs of students, as examples. "One of the major enemies that school districts fight is the fight to establish priorities," he said.

Accomplished goals include: initiating a curriculum review cycle in science and guidance; improving grade 8 math scores; establishing a district data mine; providing support for new coordinators; developing improved district and school Web sites; selecting and implementing a new upgraded student information system; reviewing bus replacement schedule; and conducting an analysis of overtime in transportation and making recommendations.

The district is currently working on several goals from previous years. Dr. Feirsen and his staff plan to: continue the curriculum review cycle for math, science and guidance; assess Advanced Placement courses and compare with the International Baculaureate (IB) program; strengthen student writing, particularly non-fiction; extend/enhance co-teaching at the high school; promote conceptual teaching and learning; strengthen evaluation/observation processes for teaching staff; develop and implement a program of staff development for psychologists; review the New York State Athletic Framework with coaching staff to ensure alignment; review the system for evaluation of noncertificated personnel and make recommendations; establish continuing improvement and acceptance of accountability as dominant organizational values; develop a plan for the improvement of instructional technology; prepare for a New York State audit; renovate the middle school field; and investigate developing a master contract for charter buses.

Dr. Feirsen believes student writing will be strengthened by the Educational Records Bureau Writing Assessment Program, known as WRaP. It is a writing assessment that differs from other tests because it is scored analytically using a six-trait, six-point rubric. The assessment will be given to students in grades 3, 7 and 9. It pro-vides a direct assessment of a student's writing ability by requiring a writing sample. The results can help teachers target instruction in writing.

In addition, every high school freshman will be utilizing the Writing Center this year. In previous years, attendance was not mandatory.

In an effort to strengthen students' critical thinking skills, Dr. Feirsen and his staff will study the possibility of administering a College Work and Readiness Assessment in the future. The CWRA measures critical thinking by providing test-takers with a multi-disciplinary task.

This year the district will: update an academic intervention plan; implement an extended school day program for selected classified students; initiate a curriculum review in world language (including Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools, known as FLES); improve the average AP score; utilize a data mine to promote student achievement; develop a comprehensive report of student achievement; provide support for non-tenured administrators and supervisors; implement a professional period at the high school; revise the district's professional development plan; implement a new student information system; "drill down" into district and school Web pages to ensure accuracy and enhance content; respond to internal auditor recommendations; develop a master plan for buildings and grounds; and review the routing of buses.

One goal which has been put on hold is development of long-term financial projections. Dr. Feirsen said there are several factors, such as state and federal aid and state special education mandates, which can't be predicted ahead of time, bringing into question the usefulness of a financial plan that extends too far into the future.