Cedar Mountain fails to meet state proficiency standards

VERNON — The Vernon Township District test scores came out, and while most of the district's schools are performing up to standard, Cedar Mountain Primary School needs some attention.

In the third grade, the Cedar Mountain students’ scores dropped in math and language arts, with language arts scores dropping steadily over the last five years. In the fourth grade, the number of students who are only partially proficient also has steadily increased over the last five years. These combined scores caused the school to not meet any of the state's progress targets.

Dennis Mudrick, principal of Cedar Mountain, acted as soon as he received the test scores. meeting with administration to set up an immediate course of action.

“By 3 p.m. that day, we were working on putting the plan in motion,” Mudrick said. He pulled in the faculty and got their suggestions as well. One of their first actions was to immediately increase the amount of time that second- through fourth-grade classes spend in math instruction.

Within a week and a half, Mudrick had submitted 35 input points given to him by the staff to Acting Superintendent Charles Maranzano, Jr. and used them develop a number of points of action. Charles McKay, the English department supervisor, is working with the school's reading specialist and teachers to bring new ideas into the classrooms. The reading specialist's schedule also has been changed to maximize the amount of time spent with students in the third and fourth grades.

Mudrick said students also will get more math time, both by the addition of a math instructionalist and rescheduling.

“Students are seeing math instruction like they haven't before,” he said.

There also a special focus being put on the school's special education population. Of 249 students, 55 of those are classified as having a disability. To help these students, Carolyn Marano, the director of special services, is working with them on test-taking skills. It also was found that throughout the school, most students have some sort of anxiety about testing and Mudrick is working to “de-tense” the situation.

The parents also are being pulled into the effort. According to Mudrick, at the last SCA meeting, many people voiced their concerns and “they are being calmly but with a sense of urgency, addressed.” he said. They also put on a Mom's and Dad's Math night to help parents help their children with their schoolwork. Only 4.8 percent of the parents showed up.

“We've gotten a wake-up call here at Cedar Mountain,” he said.

Now he feels that parents need to get involved.

“We can't get it done at home for them,” he said. “Parents need to get involved.”

One of Mudrick's other ideas is to add in the house model for the third and fourth grades. This system keeps student in a “house” rather than having them change classes throughout the day. Another area to look at is class sizes.

“I want to look at this challenge as an opportunity to excel,” Mudrick said.