New Haven School holds 'prep' rally

(1/30/2006) NEWS RELEASE

Monday, Jan. 30, 2006

Contact: Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo, (203) 946-8450

Mayor & Superintendent rally Monday

for students to excel on CMTs

Connecticut Mastery Tests moved to March

NEW HAVEN - Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and Superintendent of Schools Dr.

Reginald Mayo joined a spirited rally Monday, Jan. 30, 2006, 11:30 a.m.

at Wexler-Grant Community School to impart a message that kids can do

well on the Connecticut Mastery Test.

This is the first year that all students statewide are taking the

Connecticut Mastery Tests during the month of March (3/7-3/24) rather

than September. At the same time, under the requirements of the federal

No Child Left Behind legislation, school districts are required to test

third through eighth grade students, rather than just fourth, sixth and

eighth graders. In New Haven, that means that means about 8,800 students

are taking the test.

"In a national climate of increased testing and high-stakes

accountability, we need to need to give our children a message of

confidence," said Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. "There is no doubt in my

mind that our students are smart and capable but those feelings don't

always translate into taking tests. Our kids need to know that the City

of New Haven -parents, elected leaders, teachers and principals - are

100% behind them."

The rally at Wexler-Grant Community School, 55 Foote St., in the Dixwell

neighborhood, included the Mayor, Superintendent, Tripper, the mascot

from the New Haven County Cutters' baseball team, and students and

parents. Principal Jeffie Frazier distributed book bags to kids and

t-shirts to parents that read "Wexler Helene Grant Moving from Good to

Great" with the district's five bold goals imprinted on the back. The

choir performed.

Under the New Haven Public Schools' Good to Great strategic plan,

schools have been giving students mini-assessments in content areas tied

to CMT objectives every six weeks. The school system has provided

training from the Center for Performance Assessment to help New Haven

teachers interpret the student data and adjust instructional strategies.

The school system is dedicating the month of February to "The Full Court

Press," a campaign encouraging principals and schools to help kids

sharpen their test taking and critical thinking skills, and to boost

self esteem. ###