Bellmore Schools Discuss State Testing Prep

Editor's Note: This article was written and submitted by Chris Boyle.

Assistant to the Superintendent for Instructional Services Joanne C. Dacek gave a report at the Tuesday that highlighted the Bellmore School District’s intense preparation for the upcoming mandated New York State assessment testing.

The testing grades student proficiency in important areas such as English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science.

“In all grades, from kindergarten through sixth, teachers have been instructing students using our new ELA and Math curriculum,” Dacek said. “This curriculum is aligned with New York State Common Core learning standards. Our teachers have received training in the implementation of this curriculum, and we’re working to create supplemental materials to meet the needs of all of our learners.”

Trustee Jay L.T. Breakstone reported that he had testified recently at Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Special Commission on New York Education, where he said he had elaborated upon why he believes the Long Island school system is among the very best in the nation.

“This is the number one school system in the country,” Breakstone said. “If Long Island was the 51st state, we would be number one in high school graduation. This was funny, because at the meeting they discussed how New York has decreasing high school graduation rates, but not when you look at Long Island. And the trick is that, while everyone is talking about consolidating school districts, on Long Island we’re anything but consolidated, and it’s that local control that keeps education best here.”

“In addition, Long Island education works because of terribly involved parents on a very local basis, and very, very good school board members,” Breakstone added. “Consolidated mega-school districts might work for financial reasons, but they don’t work for educational reasons, and that’s why Long Island is number one in education.”

During his report, Superintendent Dr. Joseph S. Famularo addressed several staff-related issues, including teaching assistant appointments, acceptance of resignations of a teacher’s aide and approval of several substitute teachers.

The next meeting of the Bellmore Board of Education is set for Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. in the Winthrop Avenue board room.