Following the State Department of Education's release of scores for every school in the state based on different measures, Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, and Assistant Superintendent Jean Evans Davila responded on Wednesday, March 9, saying that assessments of the newly released data are underway.Evaluation scores via The Connecticut Mirror.

"We had two of our seven schools recognized with distinction," said Dr Erardi, "and [based] on the data that I have had a chance to read… is that those two schools, [Middle Gate Elementary School and Hawley Elementary School], really represented our entire district."

According to the State Department of Education's website, the next generation accountability model "moves beyond just test scores and graduation rates. Instead, it provides a more holistic, multifactor perspective of district and school performance and incorporates student growth over time."

The next generation model, according to the State Department of Education, was based on two years of feedback from state and national experts and educators.

The Newtown school district overall received a grade of 84.8 on a 100-point grading scale, which Ms Davila compared to the state average of 75 as a solid benchmark.

Overall grades for Newtown's schools were 79.2 for Newtown High School, 80.7 for Newtown Middle School, 86.2 for Reed Intermediate School, 86.2 for Sandy Hook Elementary School, and 95.1 for Head O' Meadow Elementary School.

Hawley and Middle Gate's earned overall scores of 93.2 and 93.1, respectively, and earned "distinction overall" for being in the top ten percent in the state plus meeting other qualifiers.

"If you look at the aggregate scores of all of our schools… there would be a whole bunch of superintendents who would be privileged to sit in the chair that I am in," said Dr Erardi, adding that he shared the scores and that news with the district's leadership team. "Kudos and hats off to a tenacious faculty. The scores are the end product of an indicator that there is great teaching and great learning."

The two schools earning top distinction, Dr Erardi said, are a reason to celebrate for the district.

The superintendent said the district does not drill students to be "great test takers," but instead gives them "great opportunities every day." The district's leadership team and faculty team are "really proud of where we landed," Dr Erardi said.

"Our students were prepared well. They were prepared extremely well when you compare state averages," said Dr Erardi. "And we are not a district that will line up to test and offer daily practice to prep the test. We are a district that looks to prepare students every day."

Ms Davila said the district's overall grade from the model is a byproduct of the district having rigorous standards.

According to both Dr Erardi and Ms Davila, the new score model assessed schools and districts in a range of areas, including arts, physical education, high school graduation rates, and attendance.

Ms Davila explained the accountability model has indicators for the arts, which she said allows educators across the state to be inclusive when looking at education.

She explained the state is calling this year's model of the scores an "accountability pause," due to this being the first year of all of the indicators being compiled.

"You're not looking at growth yet," Ms Davila said. "But when the growth comes in, it is going to be more sensitive than the scales have been in the past for us… because they are going with scaled scores now."

If a student moves "even a little bit" the growth index will be affected, according to Ms Davila, who said that is a "good thing."

"It keeps our eyes on all students," said Ms Davila.

Dr Erardi said elementary school principals will meet to build school improvement plans to implement for next school year based on the new data. He also said he assumes the high school will combine the results with the anticipated New England Association Schools and Colleges report expected in April.

The superintendent also said Ms Davila is working on a "broad view" report of the district's assessments, which will be presented to the Board of Education.

"The real critical data for us will really come out next year as we will finally have some compare and contrast [ability]," Dr Erardi said.

The superintendent also spoke to the 96.7 graduation rate given to the district in the assessment, saying he would "love to get to a place where we could proudly say that every student at Newtown High will graduate."

Both Dr Erardi and Ms Davila also spoke to the importance of figuring out a process to assess student outcomes after graduation. Dr Erardi said that data would help to prepare students for "life outside of Newtown High." Ms Davila said it would help the district prepare students with "all the skills they need."