NEW HAVEN >> The New Haven Public School district improved slightly in the second year of the Next Generation Accountability System, a 12-indicator system devised by the states Department of Education to holistically measure student achievement and school success.

NHPS earned 64.3 percent of all points in the 2015-16 school year, an improvement of 2.3 points from the year before, when the system debuted.

Conte/West Hills Magnet School was identified as a school of distinction for its growth in achievement on the 12 indicators by high-needs students those who are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, English language learners and students in special education. Of 116 schools named schools of distinction, Conte/West was one of 15 schools in the 30 lowest-performing districts in the state to receive the title.

Together, we are reaching new heights and making significant progress in our schools. Our new accountability system is more comprehensive and holistic allowing us to identify and replicate success and target support to the students and schools that need it most. We must continue to be steadfast in our commitment to improve outcomes for all students, said Gov. Dannel P. Malloy in a statement.

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The accountability system accounted for growth for the first time by establishing individual goals for students to reach in the following year. In English, 63.3 percent of all New Haven students met their growth goals in 2015-16 from the year prior; 61.5 percent of high-needs New Haven students did the same. In math, 63.5 percent of all New Haven students met their growth goals; 62.2 percent of high-needs New Haven students did the same.

The inclusion of student growth for the first time gives us a more accurate picture of how well we are delivering on our promise to kids. As we celebrate progress being made, we also push with great urgency to accelerate the pace of change for schools that need the most help so that all students in Connecticut can rise to their potential and achieve their goals, said Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell in a statement.

District officials, who held a yearlong Attendance Matters campaign in 2015-16, concluded that year by celebrating a six-point drop in the rate of chronic absenteeism, or students missing 10 percent or more school days. The accountability system results reflected this change: the rate of all chronically absent New Haven students from 2014-15 to 2015-16 dropped from 25.6 percent to 19.9 percent. The rate of chronically absent high-needs students declined even more sharply: from 30 percent in 2014-15 to 22.9 percent in 2015-16.

The districts work on chronic absenteeism was the most significant change in its second year in the accountability system.

The concerted efforts made at the District and School level to combat chronic absenteeism has a direct impact on student growth as the more time we have with students in school the more education services can be delivered to allow each student to reach his or her potential, said interim Superintendent of Schools Reginald Mayo in a statement.

District officials highlighted that 31 of 40 schools in the district posted overall improvements in the accountability index, with seven boasting double-digit gains.

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Accountability system shows progress in New Haven student growth - New Haven Register