The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) recently released the results of the 2017-2018 Next Generation Accountability System. This system measures school and district performance based on 12 indicators which include:
- school attendance rates
- student performance and growth on the Smarter Balanced Assessments (administered in grades 3 & 4 at HCS)
- performance on the physical fitness assessment (administered in grades 3 & 4 at HCS)
Each school in the state is given an Index Score based on the measures in the Next Generation Accountability System. The Index Score that HCS received was the 13th highest in the state! We received an index score of 93.84.
The CSDE designated 160 schools in the state of Connecticut as Schools of Distinction. To be recognized as a School of Distinction schools must meet criteria to be considered a "highest performing", "highest growth", or "greatest improver".
I am thrilled to let you know that Harwinton Consolidated School earned two Distinctions from the CSDE.
- We were one of the 76 schools to be recognized for our high level of performance.
- HCS was also recognized for the Highest Growth based on the improvement in performance from 3rd to 4th grade on the Language Arts and Math Smarter Balanced Assessments.
You can see the CSDE press release here: https://portal.ct.gov/SDE/Press-Room/Press-Releases/2019/CSDE-Overall-State-Accountability-Results-Improve
This is the fourth year that the state has used a rating system to recognize Schools of Distinction. I am proud to let you know that HCS has been named as a School of Distinction each year! This achievement is attributed to a number of factors. The Board of Education, Superintendent & Director of Student Learning have helped us to ensure that we have strong instructional programs in place. It is also connected to the commitment and dedication of the HCS teachers and staff members – they are all amazing people. The support that the students receive from home is another contributing factor. Parents, thank you for making your child’s education a priority. All of these elements combined are instrumental in ensuring that HCS student achievement is at the highest levels.
I appreciate everything that the HCS community does to make our school a successful place for teaching and learning!
Megan Mazzei