January 16, 2025
CAIRO, NY – The Cairo-Durham Central School District saw an impressive 12% increase in math proficiency in the 2023-24 school year compared to the prior year for students in grades 3-8, according to NYS testing data that was released recently.
The New York State Department of Education released 2023-24 statewide assessment scores for Math and ELA. Students from grades 3-8 are tested annually and those who score at level three and higher are considered proficient. That year’s (2023-24) percentage of students who earned proficiency in math is compared to the previous year (2022-23) to calculate a percent change. Thirteen New York school districts, out of 731, achieved a 12% or above increase in students who are proficient in math, including Cairo-Durham, which was the only school district in Greene County to achieve this benchmark.
For the past four years, Cairo-Durham Elementary School has adopted Richard DuFour’s model of professional learning communities. Its teachers work collaboratively to ensure high levels of learning for all students and focus on student achievement results to guide their instruction. In doing so, the elementary is seeing the fruits of all the hard work of its teachers in the form of student success on New York State assessments.
“We have seen steady increases in both ELA and math scores in student cohorts for several years,” said Elementary School Principal Christopher Stein. “By focusing on the right things, collectively believing in a growth mindset, and supporting each other, our students are more proficient than they have been in many years. Cairo-Durham Elementary is now one of the fastest-growing schools in New York State regarding student achievement!”
At the Cairo-Durham Middle School, the Math and ELA teams have worked diligently to find innovative ways to increase proficiency, including administering assessments that help identify which students need additional instruction. The team has worked together to ensure additional time and support for students who are struggling with one or more essential skills, noted Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Dotan Schips. “As a result, our students are achieving increased proficiency levels,” he said.
“It’s inspiring to see the cumulative effect of our students’ hard work,” Superintendent Michael Wetherbee said. “I appreciate the daily efforts of our faculty, staff, and administration, which made this achievement possible.”