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Lanesborough Elementary Earns State Commendation For MCAS Results
By Andy McKeever, iBerkshires Staff
03:41AM / Friday, January 29, 2016
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Lanesborough School is once again ranked a Level 1.

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The elementary school was one of just 45 schools in the state to receive commendations from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
 
The state's 2015 accountability data gave the school scores of 98 out of a 100 in closing proficiency gaps for all Lanesborough Elementary School students and a score of 100 for those with high needs. Both of those calculated scores are above the state's target of 75. The school is again ranked a Level 1 — the highest the state ranks — because of Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System scores.
 
"I'm proud of all of these scores," Principal Martin McEvoy said on Thursday. 
 
The testing results show 74 percent of all students were proficient or higher in English; 79 percent proficient or higher in math; and 73 percent in science. Those numbers blow away the state averages of 64 percent, 63 percent, and 53 percent. 
 
The results also measure student's growth rate throughout the grade levels. McEvoy said he was particularly struck with a 95 percent growth rate for the sixth-grade class in math. In that grade, 92 percent of the students were proficient or higher, compared to the state average of 62 percent. In English, 92 percent of sixth-graders were proficient or advanced compared to the state average of 71 percent. All of the scores are available here.
 
"We feel like we are sending our kids off to middle school very well prepared," McEvoy said.
 
The principal attributes those scores to "excellence in instruction" and "timely interventions." The teachers provide high expectations while also knowing the individual students so well that they can step in when needed. McEvoy said staff understands that not every student is in the exact same place but the goal is to make sure every one becomes proficient in the subjects.
 
"To get in there quickly when a student is falling behind and immediately provide the additional instruction they need is important," he said.
 
The school has been ranked Level 1 for three consecutive years now. It moved from a Level 2 school in 2012 to Level 1 in 2013. Each year, the scores for closing the proficiency gap have increased from an 81 for all students and 79 for those with high needs in 2013; to 95 for all students and 98 for students with high needs in 2014; to 98 for all students and 100 for those with high needs in 2015. 
 
But, the work is never complete. While those scores are great for the school, the principal says there are always areas to build on.
 
"We don't want to rest on our laurels. We are always striving to get better," McEvoy said. "The results are overall excellent but there is always room for improvement."
 
This year the school is rolling out a focus on depth of knowledge. The schoolwide initiative aims to can think critically. The administration has brought in professional develop opportunities for staff to enhance the instruction.
 
"We're asking kids to think more critically, to not just give a correct answer but to think deeper," he said.
 
The school again was recognized as a commendation school because of "its high achievement, high progress, and/or narrowing proficiency gaps."
 
"Congratulations on this noteworthy accomplishment. My hope is that your school will serve as a model to schools statewide and that you will continue to make strides to ensure that all students are prepared for success at the next level," reads a letter from Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Mitchell Chester. 
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