School Board Chairman Stephen Wright doesn't see numbers. He sees students.
Upon hearing that was numbered 46th on the list of state high schools by U.S. News and World Report, he said it was a snapshot rather than a complete assessment of the district.
He spoke after a recent meeting during which two student academic teams reported success:We The People, and DECA, which teaches business and marketing. Wright was also proud of the students who returned from recent class trips to France and Spain because of their eagerness to learn and their positive behavior away from home.
"You display what we're trying to do with the schools," Wright said.
The list ranked high schools partly based on Advanced Placement test results. Trumbull was near the state average with 16 percent taking AP tests and 15 percent of students passing. The top spot schools percentages for AP exams were more than 50 percent.
Schools Supt. Ralph Iassogna said Wednesday, "Our ranking was affected by our high teacher-to-student ratio. Actually only three districts out of 50 Connecticut high schools have higher ratios, which are a direct result of funding. Our low number of students who opt to not take the college AP exam is controlled by student selection and is driven by one’s college choice, which may or may not award AP test credits for college placement.
"In the other two academic categories, we are extremely pleased by our excellent 95 percent proficiency scores in both Reading and Math, which are well above the Connecticut average. Although we always will strive for a higher standard, we are pleased when you drill down and see what is behind the numbers," the superintendent said.
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Trumbull outscored districts in its group (DRG) on CAPT and CMT exams last year while spending less per pupil than the other districts. And Trumbull High has still been recognized nationally despite its position on the list.
Wright said the numbers do not account for Trumbull's efforts to identify children with learning difficulties and address them early in their academic careers.
He added that Trumbull does not offer as many AP courses as other schools in Fairfield County. The district's peers include Greenwich, Fairfield and Monroe and some outside of Fairfield County.
Coming in ahead were:
- Third: Ridgefield
- Fourth: Weston
- Fifth: Staples (Westport)
- Seventh: Darien
- Eighth: Wilton
- 15th: New Canaan
- 16th: Fairfield Ludlowe
- 17th: Greenwich
- 18th: Joel Barlow (Redding)
- 21st: Brookfield
- 23rd: Masuk (Monroe)
Trumbull was ranked above Bethel, Brien McMahon (Norwalk) and Briggs (Norwalk), among other Fairfield County schools.
Check out the full report on the U.S. News Web site, www.usnews.com, or jump to the list of recognized Connecticut schools.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised that someone posting as a former First Selectman seems so bitter about what Trumbull has to offer.
I encourage people to examine whether or not we have adequately and equally funded our school programs from K to 12. Unfortunately, a political decision was made to make an over $800, 000 investment in full day Kindergarten without a true evaluation of Trumbull student needs. According to the annual CMT scores given in grades 3, 4 and 5, our elementary school population did not need more instructional time. The high school, being the 2nd largest and most diverse of any on ranking list, does very well given the very high staff to student ratio, subpar physical plant (despite the half-assed renovation), and limited choices of electives, world languages and fine arts classes. Those in the top 10 have state of the art physical plants and more resources for fewer kids. Not a fair comparison! Of course, maybe we should take the money spent on a few hundered 5 and 6 year olds and redirect to the over 2, 200 14-18 year olds!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's the problem with the renovation?
B. Approval/Final Plans and Specifications Phase 2 Trumbull High School Renovate as New Project— Mr. Barbarotta updated the Board on the status of the THS Renovate as New Project and gave a brief overview of the final plans and specs for Phase 2, as Board approval is needed to move the project forward to the State Facilities Unit. O & G Industries gave a project status report, focusing on Phase 1. They summarized the design plans and specifications for Phase 2. They further noted the Trumbull High Building Committee received a similar presentation on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, and endorsed submission to the State once Board approval is received. Discussion ensued. It was moved (Tyborowski) seconded (Chory) to approve the final plans and design specifications for Phase 2 of the THS Renovate as New Project. Vote: Unanimous in favor. It was moved (Tyborowski) seconded (Herbst) to authorize the Superintendent and Board Chairman to sign the State ED042 form for Phase 2
Let's see . . .there was the original TR-1 (wasn't that in some sort of accident??); Then he was driving Chief Kiely's SUV . . . and now, he's driving another car. A new car. Would someone kindly clarify this for us lowly (overly-bonded) taxpayers? Would hate to see rumors prevail, when someone in the know can give us the facts. Kristy? Suzanne? Anyone?? Perhaps this has been paid for, in part, by the $8,000.00 we lowly (overly-bonded) taxpayers are saving by re-districting??? Many enquiring minds want to know. Thank you for the light you will be shedding on this.
Our taxes are way too high and it does beg the question of what are we getting for it. Given that the 1st Selectman took $4 million dollars and now the BOF just refused to give it back to finish the project. These are the types of shenanigans that explain the quality of the project has been undermined all along the way. I did better research than US News and World Report by taking 5 small steps: -visited at least 4 of the top ranked schools closest to Trumbull to check out their grounds, athletic fields/facilities, and classrooms. -Using the same 4 schools, downloaded school data on the CT State Dept of Ed's Strategic School Profile. -looked for comparisons of the things that are common issues (i.e. staff to student ratios, # of admin, # of instructional hours in specific course disciplines, and student performance -paid particular attention to the different size and demographics of each school's student population as compared to Trumbull -Lastly, I went to each school's website, checked it out, and then accessed the Program (or Course) of Studies book to get a sense of the variety of classes offered and the number of guidance counselors as compared to Trumbull. My conclusion is we pay more in taxes, have less in school resources, perform quite well despite, but the last thing we needed was an investment in full day Kindergarten!
Dave, I'll answer your question: The Trumbull taxpayers who vote ARE that stupid. They bought the fantasy of "I lowered your taxes" and signed this administration on for two more very long years. (evidently bonded debt doesn't count) Now, who can tell us lowly (overly- bonded) taxpayers about the new 'First' vehicle? Thank you!
You just said that you will contact the FS office. Why are you in the same breath asking Kristy the same question? Don't contradict yourself, go the the FS and ask, then their will be no ambiguity. Simple.
And by the way, wife-beating analogies are in poor taste regardless of context, but probably not surprising coming from someone whose character called his wife a dingbat to her face and was an ignorant, racist, uneducated, conservative from 40 years ago.