They’re doing it right at Mt. Hope High School. Last year, school administrators decided to combine the high school’s science and math departments under one coordinator to integrate instruction in both areas. And, in just that short period of time, it has paid off.
Last year’s Mt. Hope juniors increased their proficiency in science on the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) by 17 points over the year before. Almost 37 percent of those students have now achieved proficiency in science in the 2011 NECAP testing. That’s up from 19 percent of students who were proficient in science in the 2010 testing.
Part of that gain was in fully integrating the math and science departments, according to R.I. Education Commissioner Deborah Gist, who announced in a press conference Tuesday at Mt. Hope High School the results of the significant increases in science scores statewide (nearly 1 out of 3 students in the state achieved proficiency in the 2011 science assessments).
The R.I. Department of Education (RIDE) selected Mt. Hope High as the site for the press conference because of its significant one-year gain.
This news brought a smile to Schools Superintendent Melinda Thies. In notifying this paper of the press conference, she said: “RIDE has acknowledged Mt. Hope High School and the school district for our innovative approach to science, mathematics, engineering and technology instruction through the creation of the only STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Department in Rhode Island.”
And it’s something everyone — school administrators, teachers and support staff, students and parents, and members of the community — should be proud of.
Ms. Thies agrees. “This is great news for our students and the Mt. Hope High School community. We are especially proud of our teaching staff, who are commended for their quality instruction, innovation and collaboration.”
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