The Mineola Board of Education's number one goal is to improve student achievement. With the exception of a few of the statewide tests, we have been very successful in improving our scores. These results have come about from revamping our curriculum, using new materials, adopting best teaching methods, and raising expectations for continuous school improvement throughout the district. The results of the most recent fourth and eighth grade ELA and Math State Assessments, show us that our overall performance on the eighth grade math and ELA results continues to be areas we need to improve. How are we going to address these areas for improvement?

During our summer administrative retreats and board retreats, we discussed the research on schools with diverse populations whose students demonstrate extraordinary achievement. What we learned is that all students - special education, English as a second language and general education students - will significantly improve their achievement and performance when certain conditions for learning are met. They are:

* The curriculum that is being taught matches what is on the performance assessment (test).

* Teachers and administrators believe in their student's ability to achieve and use proven ways to motivate and engage students in their learning.

* Students are given direct instruction to improve and strengthen weak skill areas.

* Failure is presented to students as a way to gather information on what they need to do to improve. It is considered an opportunity to learn and to teach.

* Parents/Guardians take an active role in their child's education. Teachers and administrators reach out to all parents about their children's progress and what they can do to ensure student success in school.

The research has shown that these five actions, when done well, will result in all students improving beyond what was traditionally thought not to be possible. In order to achieve our goal of continuously improving student achievement, our expectation as a school system is to deliver each of these five action steps for each student.

What can you do as parents, guardians and community members? I encourage you to ask your teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, deputy superintendent or me, the questions you have about your child's education. Ask how what is being taught in class is related to the tests your child will take. Ask what teaching methods, materials and plans are being used to meet your child's particular needs. Ask how we are using the results of last year's assessments to determine what we need to do this year. At the same time, I expect my teachers and administrators to reach out to all parents to bring about a true connection between school and home that focuses on the educational needs of all our students. Communication is the key and when it is accompanied by targeted, teaching methods, specific learning strategies, curriculum that is related to the assessments, and motivated and engaged administrators, teachers, students and parents, guardians and community members, we will be more successful.

Communication is also the key regarding any question, concern, complaint or compliment, a community member has about the school district. On the last pages of our district calendar we list the steps to take in order for any member of our community to ask about any aspect of our school district. I urge you to let us know of your concerns so that we can respond to them quickly. If you are not sure who to call, call my office and my staff will direct you to the appropriate individual.

In closing, I want to invite the community to the workshop meeting of the board of education that will take place at the Willis Avenue School cafeteria at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6. The board will be reviewing our plans for School Improvement and our Curriculum Instruction and Assessment system. Thank you.