At a recent meeting of the Coalition for Glen Cove, Coalition Vice-President Rich Tortorici introduced Diane Scricca, the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction for the Glen Cove Schools. After several years as a social studies teacher, chairperson, and assistant principal in the New York City Schools Ms. Scricca was principal of Elmont Memorial High School for 13 years. She significantly improved standardized test grades and increased the percentage of graduates receiving Regents diplomas from 28% to nearly 70%.
In 1994 she was New York State Principal of the Year and in 1995 was runner-up for National Principal of the Year. She is a recipient of St. John's University Outstanding Principal Award and was appointed to the Nassau County Task Force on Youth Violence.
Ms. Scricca said that our schools need to nurture and care for our students not just in the elementary years but all the way through high school. Good teachers and good teaching are central to students’ success. By improving teaching we can not only benefit students, we can raise test scores and reduce class cutting. We need to look at what we teach and how we teach it, to have high expectations, and to try to eliminate barriers to academic success.
Glen Cove’s test scores have not reflected what our students are capable of. We are now using as examples districts similar to Glen Cove that have been successful at raising test scores, particularly in math. We will follow the test scores of individual elementary students from grade to grade and from school to school. High-school staff have been analyzing the test scores of our 12th graders to find out how we can help them get Regents diplomas and have more success in college.
Supervisors are being trained to sit in on classes and to guide teachers to improve their teaching.
The district has asked Judy Dodge, a well-known expert on differentiated instruction, to teach a series of in-service classes to 75 interested teachers and supervisors. Differentiated instruction encourages teachers to present the same material in several ways so that students who learn best by seeing, hearing, writing, or research can learn in their own way at their own pace.
Ms. Scricca pointed out that one of the strengths of Glen Cove is the commitment to education shown by the many organizations that support the schools such as the PTAs, the Boosters Club, the Educational Foundation, the Coalition for Glen Cove, and the Community Scholarship Fund.
During a question period Coalition members asked whether all students are going to benefit from the new state requirement that all high school degrees be Regents degrees. Will vocational programs be eliminated? Can teachers accommodate disabled students in regular classrooms (with the help of aides) while continuing to raise academic standards? Can the district offer an honors program in 5th and 6th grades that will fill the gap between “academics plus” in 3rd and 4th grades and the honors program for 7th and 8th graders?
Ms. Scricca answered that the thrust to have all students met higher standards is long overdue for a democratic society with a strong economy.
Vocational programs will not be eliminated but students must take them in conjunction with the demanding diploma requirements as set forth by the NYS education department.
We must provide the same opportunities for all students regardless of disability. With diverse instruction and additional support all of our students can meet the new standards.
We are exploring various enrichment options during lunch periods and before and after school for 5th and 6th grade students. We will be surveying parents to determine interest and possibilities.