1. An Overview of Academic Performance for the 2015-2016 School Year
Williamsville Central School District
Board of Education
October 18, 2016
This presentation has ben prepared at the request of the Board of Education. We thank the Board for the opportunity to present this information. With me this evening are Mrs. Gail Militello, IS for K-12 ELA and Reading, and Dr. Chris McGinley, IS for K-12 Math. They along with Mrs. Diane Cordz, IS for Accountability and Data Reporting/CIO, and Ms. Karen Greco, IS for ENL, LOTE, Libraries, and SS, helped to prepare the information shared this evening.
It is important to keep in mind that these assessments do not comprise the entirety of the ways in which student performance and progress is measured. Our teachers use formative, diagnostic, benchmark, observation, and anecdotal information and student learning is assessed using a variety of formats, including performance based, projects, digitally, as well as paper pencil.
Also, it is significant to acknowledge that one or a few measures do not tell a complete story regarding a student strengths or areas of emphasis. All qualitative and quantitative information available to support students in receiving the best education possible.

2. WCSD District Facts 2015-2016 2015-2016 Total K-12 Enrollment 9,962
% Eligible for Free Lunch
10.55%
% Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2.00%
% Limited English Proficient
2.2%*
% Students with Disabilities
10.78%
Official NYS Reporting is reflective of BEDS day counts
You will notice that the percentage of ELLs for our district appears to be on the lower side. This is an area in which the District has seen much growth, particularly in the last year. It is also noteworthy that the NYSESLAT changes which began in 2014 and continued in 2015 added an element of rigor to the assessment process, likely resulting in an increase in identification.
ELL # 222 as of BEDS day in October 2015
EOY active 269
# +15 (includes those required to be serviced after discontinuing) First year that districts were required to service for 2 years instead of 1.
Currently ELL # of active 307
(includes those required to be serviced after discontinuing). Includes students who discontinued but required services in year one and now year two.
* Does not include ELL students who are at the highest proficiency level, and as of , still required to receive services for a two-year period.

3. Context and Considerations
"Because of changes* made to the 2016 exam and the testing environment, the 2016 test scores are not an apples-to-apples comparison with previous years and should not be viewed as such."
*Changes to the 2016 NYS 3-8 ELA/Math Assessments:
The State used a new assessment vendor (i.e., Questar Assessment, Inc.)
There were fewer test items
The students had unlimited time to complete the test
"This year's proficiency rates reflect only those students who took the tests. We have no statewide measure of knowledge or skills for those students who refused the test.“
– Education Commissioner, MaryEllen Elia
BOE question – Change in cut scores for this year?...”to reflect improvement.”

4. NYS Gr. 3-8 Historical Math Test Results % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard District-Wide by Grade Level
Introduction of the Common Core
new assessment vendor
fewer test items
unlimited time
This illustrates the State scale score adjustments over ten years to reflect the changes in test design/standards/etc. ELA has a similar trend.

5. WCSD NCLB District Accountability Elementary / Middle School ELA and Math 2015-2016
Accountability Group
Enrollment
% Tested
All Students
4,734
64.77%
Students with Disabilities
500
53.8%
MATH
Grades 3-8
Accountability Group
Enrollment
% Tested
All Students
4,734
65.74%
Students with Disabilities
500
52.00%

6. NYS Gr. 3-8 ELA and Math Test Results 2016 WCSD and NYS
outperformed NYS at every grade level 3-8
outperformed NYS “Average Need” districts at every grade level 3-8
performed similarly to “Low Need” districts at every grade level 3-8
The majority of the students across the state scored at levels 1 and 2
State-wide:
ELA Levels 3 & 4 = 37.9%
Math Levels 3 & 4 = 39.1%
ELA Levels 3 & 4 = 61%
Math Levels 3 & 4 = 68.1%*
*This figure factors in the June 2016 Algebra 1 Regents performance by 8th grade students.

7. NYS Gr. 3-8 ELA and Math Test Results 2016 WCSD Rankings in Erie County, ELA and Math by Grade Level
ELA MATH
Grade
2016 Ranking 3 6 4 5 1 7 8
Grade
2016 Ranking 3 4 5 6 2 7 1 8
There are 28 districts in Erie County (including Buffalo)
Note: These ranking data include districts such as Eden and North Collins who often have fewer than 20 students who take the tests in a grade level. The number of “test takes” in Williamsville often exceeded these districts as much as 25 times.

8. NYS Gr. 3-8 ELA and Math Test Results 2016 % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard ELA and Math, District-Wide by Grade Level
ELA MATH
*35.7% of the Grade 8 cohort is enrolled in Algebra 1; effectively removing another 35.7% of students who would presumably meet/exceed the standards.
Grade % 3
61% 4
58% 5
48% 6
63% 7 8
70%
Grade % 3
69% 4
67% 5
64% 6
68% 7 8
36%*
There appears to be a significant drop in the percentage of levels 3 and 4 however it is important to note that students at this grade level were not double tested. Students who were enrolled in CC Al I did not take the grade 8 math test.
BOE question, “Grades 3-5 scored slightly lower than 7-8, yet those grades have the most scheduled time for ELA. What are the thoughts behind this? Should we consider this data point when planning our instructional day/time allotment for each subject?”
BOE question, “This is where is it important to report on the % of LEP at each building. I was told that CP for example has high LEP%.”

9. Elementary NYS Gr. 3-4 ELA, Math, and Science Test Results 2016 % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard by School and Grade Level
Grade 3 ELA
Grade 4 ELA
Grade 3 Math
Grade 4 Math
Grade 4 Science
Country Parkway
55%
64%
68%
79%
100%
Dodge
65%
54%
76%
67%
98%
Forest
59%
75%
Heim Elem.
58%
49%
95%
Maple East
71%
63%
99%
Maple West
60%
97%
District
61%
69%
Erie County
39%
36%
40%
41%
94%
New York State
42%
44%
45%
87%
Ave. Need
48%
50%
Low Need
66%
62%
70%
Williamsville
- outperformed NYS “Average Need” districts at every grade level 3-8;
performed similarly to “Low Need” districts at every grade level 3-8

10. Middle School NYS Gr. 5-8 ELA Test Results 2016 % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard by School and Grade Level
Grade 3 ELA
Grade 4 ELA
Grade 3 Math
Grade 4 Math
Grade 4 Science
Country Parkway
Dodge
Forest
Heim Elem
Maple East
Maple West
District
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Casey
55%
59%
64%
70%
Heim
47%
58%
Mill
39%
53%
63%
Transit
51%
71%
72%
82%
District
48%
Erie County
29%
32%
30%
35%
New York State
33%
34%
41%
Ave. Need
36%
37%
43%
Low Need
54%
56%
BOE question, “Do we know why grade 5 ELA results were so low, comparatively?”

11. Middle School NYS Gr. 5-8 Math Test Results 2016 % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard by School and Grade Level
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Casey
76%
75%
65%
46%
Heim
73%
71%
26%
Mill
50%
53%
64%
31%
Transit
63%
74%
47%
District
68%
69%
36%*
Erie County
38%
36%
30%
17%
New York State
40%
24%
Ave. Need
21%
Low Need
44%
BOE question, “Do we know why grade 5 ELA results were so low, comparatively?”
*37.5% of our Grade 8 Students were enrolled in Algebra 1. Of the 307 students enrolled in Algebra 1, 99.7% passed and 86.3% achieved mastery (≥85)

12. NYS Grade 4 Elementary Level Science Test Results 2016 % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard by School
Country Parkway
100%
Dodge
98%
Forest
Heim Elem.
95%
Maple East
99%
Maple West
97%
District
Erie County
94%
New York State
87%

13. NYS Grade 8 Intermediate Level Science Test Results 2016 % Meeting/Exceeding the Standard by School
Casey
88%
Heim
94%
Mill
Transit
98%
District
Erie County
75%
New York State
65%

14. WCSD High School Regents Exams 2016 Highlights*
Regents Mathematics
96% scored proficient in Common Core Algebra I
98% scored proficient in common Core Algebra II
96% scored proficient in Common Core Geometry
77% scored proficient in Algebra II/Trig**
Regents ELA
96% scored proficient in Common Core English Language Arts
73% scored at the mastery level (85-100%)
Regents Social Studies
92% scored proficient in Global History
97% scored proficient in US History and Government
Regents Science
91% scored proficient in Earth Science
98% scored proficient in Living Environment
91% scored proficient in Physics
93% scored proficient in Chemistry
*Includes MS and HS test takers
**Alg. II/Trig. Regents Exam was offered as an optional exam by NYSED for students wishing to do so
Alg. II/Trig – Last administration of A2T is Jan. 2017
ELA Regents Mastery Rates:
East = 71%
North= 83%
South 63%
BOE question, “Can information about cut scores be shared so parents know the difference between what their child actiallu earned and the score they were given?”

15. WCSD High School Regents Exams 2016 Highlights East High School
Regents Mathematics
93% scored proficient in Common Core Algebra I
99% scored proficient in common Core Algebra II
95% scored proficient in Common Core Geometry
82% scored proficient in Algebra II/Trig
Regents ELA
97% scored proficient in Common Core English Language Arts
Regents Social Studies
94% scored proficient in Global History
98% scored proficient in US History and Government
Regents Science
91% scored proficient in Earth Science
99% scored proficient in Living Environment
93% scored proficient in Physics
92% scored proficient in Chemistry
BOE question, “Are proficiency % equivalent to passing requirements for NYS regents exams?”

16. WCSD High School Regents Exams 2016 Highlights North High School
Regents Mathematics
92% scored proficient in Common Core Algebra I
98% scored proficient in common Core Algebra II
97% scored proficient in Common Core Geometry
70% scored proficient in Algebra II/Trig
Regents ELA
99% scored proficient in Common Core English Language Arts
Regents Social Studies
91% scored proficient in Global History
94% scored proficient in US History and Government
Regents Science
81% scored proficient in Earth Science
98% scored proficient in Living Environment
96% scored proficient in Physics
98% scored proficient in Chemistry
BOE question, “What are the Algebra /Trig results compared to the rest of the state?”

17. WCSD High School Regents Exams 2016 Highlights South High School
Regents Mathematics
96% scored proficient in Common Core Algebra I
99% scored proficient in common Core Algebra II
95% scored proficient in Common Core Geometry
78% scored proficient in Algebra II/Trig
Regents ELA
93% scored proficient in Common Core English Language Arts
Regents Social Studies
90% scored proficient in Global History
97% scored proficient in US History and Government
Regents Science
84% scored proficient in Earth Science
96% scored proficient in Living Environment
82% scored proficient in Physics
89% scored proficient in Chemistry

18. Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations 2016
Number of students taking AP exams in 2016:
East – 352 students
North – 357 students
South – 354 students
TOTAL = 1063
Number of AP exams taken in 2016:
East – 756
North – 640
South – 653
TOTAL = 2049
District Mean Score – 3.48
# of students
District 2015 = 949
EAST = 289
NORTH = 322
SOUTH = 338
# of exams
District 2015 = 1869
EAST = 616
NORTH = 625
SOUTH = 628
BOE question, “Can the number of students who pass the AP exams be reported as it compares to the number fo stduents who take the exams?”

19. Diplomas Earned 2016 East HS Regents = 25%
Regents w/Adv. Designation/Honors = 72%
Local = 3%
North HS
Regents = 35%
Regents w/Adv. Designation/Honors = 61%
Local = 4%
South HS
Regents = 27%
Regents w/Adv. Designation/Honors = 70%
% of SWD earning Regents, or adv/honors diplomas
SWD
East 20
North 26
South 15
Regents
East 55%
North 46%
South 60%
Regents + Adv
East 60%
North 58%
4 advanced diplomas

20. Post-secondary Plans of WCSD Graduates 2015-2016
95% of students are college bound
Seniors graduating in were awarded $26.2 million dollars in scholarships
1% to military
3% to work sector

21. Steps Taken and Continued Efforts
Continue to:
Collaborate with teachers and administrators to examine data, identify strengths and areas for refinement based on a multitudes of information (qualitative and quantitative)
- provide opportunities for reflection, curriculum development and refinement, and best practices sharing
use a facilitation model where teacher representatives from across the District meet to learn, share, make decisions/recommendations, and create resources collaboratively
offer professional development opportunities at the District and school levels and support individual PD
collaboration between the Office of Instruction and Office of Exceptional Education (e.g., targeted PD –
Universal Design for Learning, Differentiated Instruction, and Specially Designed Instruction)
utilize mentoring and induction as vehicles for discussion, support, and coaching to build capacity
Mention implementation teams

22. Steps Taken and Continued Efforts
Continue to:
examine and refine structures, programs, and resources on the District level to maximize learning
address the needs of all learners and continue to offer a variety of supports (RtI; mental health, social/emotional supports; alternative educational models; enrichment; vocational and internship opportunities)
participate in school-level councils and committees to celebrate achievements and address identified areas
make resources and information available to parents
enrich the data team approach

23. An Overview of Academic Performance for the 2015-2016 School Year
Williamsville Central School District
Board of Education
October 18, 2016