Jan
24
2008
Local Young Adult Author, Diane Kozak, Visits The Parker Middle School In Taunton, Ma
Posted by admin in Middle School Article, tags: Adult Author, Charitable Foundation, Koza, Taunton Federal Credit Union, Volunteer SpeakerTaunton, MA… Diane Kozak, the former Chief Executive Officer/President of the Taunton Federal Credit Union, met with a group of 120 students at the Parker Middle School on Thursday, February 26th to discuss the importance of reading and writing skills in regard to future career success. By sharing her experiences with finding employees for the credit union, she explained how reading develops imagination and why she believes this talent is so important in today’s workplace. She also offered advice on choosing a career path and how education is the foundation for future career success. Through the generosity of the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, Inc, each student received an autographed copy of her novel…Full Circle 911.
Diane Kozak is a volunteer speaker at public schools and youth organizations throughout the area. Recent appearances include a “tour” of the Boys and Girls Clubs throughout Boston, Kuss Middle School in Fall River and three middle schools in the Boston School system. “I love talking to young people about their futures and why the decisions they make today will influence their ability to make their dreams come true. When they hear about my background and experiences through the public school system, they realize that we are all capable of achieving our own personal idea of success if we take advantage of the fine education that is offered to us.”
Diane Kozak coordinated this visit with Melanie Ahern who is a 7th grade reading teacher at the Parker Middle School. She also worked with Michele Roberts at the Bristol County Savings Charitable Foundation, Inc on special funding for this event. “Melanie, Michele and I agree that my visit will have more impact if every student is given a copy of my book. The book will not only encourage them to read, it will also be a reminder to them that reading is a critical component of their Continue Reading
Jan
18
2008
Report Cards Out — New York Schools Show Progress in Student Achievement but Graduation Rates in Trouble
Posted by admin in Middle School Article, tags: Class Of 2005, Graduation Rates, New York Schools, Report Cards, State Education CommissionerThe spring 2006 statewide report cards for New York Schools show that more schools are making progress in meeting their achievement goals for improvement in English and mathematics, as mandated by the state. Though achieving standards in middle school English is still a problem, fewer students have serious academic problems at the elementary and middle school levels, while more of these students are demonstrating higher standards in mathematics.
The performance of the elementary and middle schools has improved significantly. For example, the percentage of students meeting all standards almost doubled from 22 percent in year 2000 to 41 percent in 2005. The percentage of fourth graders with serious academic problems declined from 19 percent in year 2000 to only eight percent in 2005.
At the high school level, 64 percent of the students in the Class of 2005 graduated in a four-year period. More students are graduating each year and more are earning Regents Diplomas, but the graduation rate still is too low.
The New York schools report cards also showed a correlation between attendance and graduation rates. When attendance falls below 92 percent, the graduation rate declines significantly. When attendance is below 88 percent, the graduation rate plummets.
State Education Commissioner Richard Mills believes the graduation rate is much too low. Though student achievement is improving, Mills believes that new reforms are needed to improve the graduation rates of the future New York schools classes.
During the next few months, the New York schools will take a series of aggressive actions to solve the problem. Actions under consideration are:
• Set both graduation and attendance goals, measuring the results annually, and raising the levels each year;
• Hold each school accountable for meeting the targeted goals in both graduation and attendance by Continue Reading