The members of the Elmont community feel their efforts with regard to their work in the Elmont School District have been rewarded. That's because recently published fourth grade's English Language Arts test scores have shown a dramatic improvement in the Elmont School District.

Each of the six schools in the Elmont School District - Alden Terrace, Clara H. Carlson, Covert Avenue, Dutch Broadway, Gotham Avenue and Stewart Manor - are above the Nassau County average of 83.7 percent of fourth-grade students either meeting or exceeding state standards in English Language Arts.

"I am very pleased about the progress our children are making and the initiatives we put in place are really demonstrating great improvement and enhancement in the education our children receive. I see a constant growth and that pleases me immensely," said Elmont Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maria Palandra.

Every school in the district showed improvement in its 2003 standardized English Language Arts scores over the 2002 results with Dutch Broadway leading the way by showing an improvement of 27 percent of its fourth-grade students tested either meeting or exceeding state standards.

In the Alden Terrace School, fourth-grade students are performing better than they have in recent years as test scores have improved. In 2000, 62 percent of students tested have either achieved a Level 3 or Level 4 status in the English Language Arts Standardized Test, which is meeting or exceeding state standards. In 2001, 55 percent met or exceeded state standards. In 2002, the number jumped to 79 percent and recently released test scores for 2003 showed that 85 percent of Alden Terrace fourth-graders met or exceeded state standards. Alden Terrace exceeded the Nassau County average of 83.7 and outperformed schools in districts that outspend Elmont.

The other five schools in the district showed similar results. At the Clara H. Carlson School, 84 percent of fourth-grade students either met or exceeded state standards in English Language Arts, which is five percent more than last year's percentage of students who met or exceeded state standards.

At the Covert Avenue School and the Gotham Avenue School, 93 percent of students met or exceeded state standards in the 2003 English Language Arts tests. Both schools improved over last year's marks - 90 percent for Covert Avenue and 87 percent for Gotham Avenue.

At the Stewart Manor School, 87 percent of fourth-grade students either met or exceeded state standards in English Language Arts. In 2002, 78 percent of Stewart Manor fourth grade students met or exceeded state standards.

The biggest improvement was shown by fourth-grade students of the Dutch Broadway School. In 2000 and 2001, 60 percent of fourth-grade students at the Dutch Broadway School either met or exceeded state standards in English Language Arts. In 2002, 63 percent of fourth-graders met or exceeded state standards. However, in 2003, the number jumped to 90 percent, an improvement of 27 percent.

As a whole, 89 percent of Elmont fourth-grade students met or exceeded state standards on the English Language Arts test. Elmont's results parallel districts spending much more money. Elmont matched the performance of the Manhasset School District and outperformed others such as Merrick, Bellmore, Hewlett-Woodmere, Carle Place, New Hyde Park-Garden City Park and others that spend more money per pupil than Elmont. In fact, the Elmont School District spends the least amount per pupil than any other district in Nassau County. Yet, the district is achieving higher than the Nassau County average in the fourth-grade English Language Arts test.

Elmont Board of Education member Joy Madera believes Elmont's recent test scores are proof of the way the board of education, administration and school community including parents and teachers are working together. "We have a lot to be proud of at the Elmont Elementary Schools. Everyone from our community, teachers, superintendent and board of education works as a team. The success as shown in our test scores is a testament to what our children can achieve when we all work together in harmony for the good of our children," she said.

Although many educators believe standardized test scores are only one measure of the level of education children are receiving, for the Elmont Schools, it may indicate that hard work is paying off.

Elmont Board of Education President Deanna Doreson said that the board and districts expect a lot from the staff and as a result get a lot from the staff. "I'm very proud of the hard work these people put into educating our children," she said.

The Elmont School District recently received statewide recognition for its accomplishments when the Gotham Avenue School was awarded the 2003 Pathfinder Award from the Business Council of New York State for outstanding educational improvement.

Although the Gotham was awarded the honor, it was viewed by Gotham Avenue School Principal Marshall Zucker as a victory for the entire district. Dr. Palandra attributes some of the improvement to the efforts of the teachers and administrators. "I'm very happy with the work our teachers and administrators are doing," she said.

Mrs. Madera gave credit to her fellow board members Ken Williams, Aubrey Phillips, Mrs. Doreson, Robert Nori and vice president Carl Termini for supporting the educational program, Dr. Palandra for her leadership, the teachers and administrators and, of course, the parents and students.

Mrs. Madera believes the solid curriculum the district instituted has been integral in the district's success. "Our curriculum is educationally sound, enabling our children to do well not only on state tests, but more importantly, the curriculum enables our children to be lifelong learners," she said.

Mr. Phillips, who has served on the board of education for four years, believes the key elements in the district's success have been the high expectations of the students and the curriculum.

"Dr. Palandra has really put in place a situation where every child is expected to perform at the level that tests them. We expect every child to do the work," said Mr. Phillips.

The board member also points to district-wide curriculum mapping, which makes every school in the district use the same set of basic requirements. This way, the level of education is the same at every school. Proof is that the Elmont schools haven't differed much in the results of the fourth grade ELA test. All of the six schools are within nine percentage points of each other. "If you walk into any of our schools and you go into any set class, that class will be studying essentially the same kind of material. They [the teachers] might be using different enhancement materials, but the core curriculum remains the same," Mr. Phillips said. "A curriculum with high expectations is what really is key. Every teacher expects the same now."