Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE–Friday, October 11, 2019 SCHOOLS | FROM PAGE 1 amount of students who are not passing the Science MCAS,” she said. “We have to be at the state level, which is proficiency.” Therefore, Crowell said, Science Director Ann Ritchie is taking additional professional development classes through DESE to bolster the district’s Science curriculum. Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com State Senator Sal DiDomenico announced that the Senate had passed the Student Opportunity Act, which will provide schools across the state with an additional $1.5 billion in Chapter 70 funding over the next seven years. In addition, three of Everett’s six elementary schools missed their targets for English proficiency. Crowell said chromic absenteeism continues to be a problem at Everett High School, adding that chronic absenteeism is defined as any student who misses 18 days of school. Last JASON MARCUS Elect former Councillor Councillor Ward 2 * Jason with his best friend, Celtics great Dave Cowens. * Jason will donate part of his salary to the seniors. * Jason has over 28 years experience * Jason is a U.S. Army veteran combat medic. VOTED CITYWIDE - THANK YOU (Paid Political Adv.) Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Curriculum Director Michelle Crowell presented the latest MCAS results to the School Committee during its October 7 meeting. (Photos Courtesy of ECTV) year, 30 percent of Everett High School students were chronically absent. This year, that number has climbed to 35.6 percent. However, there was a silver lining in Crowell’s presentation as she highlighted improvements from students at the Parlin School, who have historically struggled with the MCAS. The exam results showed that the number of sixth grade students who scored in the Meets Expectations category on the Math section climbed from 14 percent last year to 40 percent this year. In third grade English Language Arts, the number of students Exceeding Expectations increased from three percent to 17 percent. There was also a sizable improvement in the Meeting Expectations category for grade three Math, which went from 20 percent to 39 percent. “I’m super proud of the Parlin School,” said Crowell. Finally, good news for Chapter 70 funding In other news, State Senator Sal DiDomenico was pleased to announce that the Senate recently passed the Student Opportunity Act, which will generate a $1.5 billion increase in Chapter 70 funding for schools across Massachusetts. Within that figure, he said, Everett can expect to receive at least $19 million, which will be doled out incrementally over the next seven fiscal years. “I can say with confidence that $19 million is very conservative,” said DiDomenico. He also does not anticipate any glitches as the bill heads to the House of Representatives. “This is not something that we’re worried about,” he said. “This has been our number one mission – to fix this formula.” DiDomenico said that for years the number of low-income students in Everett was not reported correctly, which prevented the district from receiving ample Chapter 70 funding. “We’ve lost what should’ve been double-digit increases,” he said, adding that inflation was never taken into account when the Education Reform Act was passed 26 years ago. “We’re fixing a wrong that the state created.” Harvey Vinyl 60 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
7 Publizr Home