Continued excellence in WW-P schools

Richard Kaye of West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional SD
    As chair of the Curriculum Committee of the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education, I have the privilege of participating in discussions that reflect the district’s commitment to continued excellence in instruction and educational programming. These discussions, and eventual decisions, are the paths by which every student is offered quality educational experiences that produce successful lifelong learners.
   Academic programs and instruction are monitored and improved through a five-year program review cycle. The recent mathematics review focused specifically on how to increase the number of rising eighth graders who are exposed to a full-year algebra I course before entering high school. Currently, curriculum development and professional learning experiences for district faculty are being developed and implemented toward the attainment of this important identified goal.
   WW-P professional development is targeted toward specific needs identified through our program review process. WW-P advocates a turnkey training model, whereby staff members who are trained by experts become the trainers for other teachers and staff. Two examples of this are our association with the Columbia University Reading and Writing Project and the University of Pennsylvania’s Minority Achievement Consortium.
   The WW-P Curriculum Committee supports the community’s dedication to excellence and innovation within carefully delineated costs. Taxpayers realize a remarkable return on their investment: students are well prepared for higher education and, continue to gain acceptance to the top colleges in the nation. WW-P students have extraordinary opportunities to develop knowledge and skill in world languages, science, language arts, history, and mathematics The district’s vocal and instrumental music, fine arts, and drama programs publicly demonstrate exceptional results. WW-P schools also provide a broad array of co-curricular and athletic programs, including extensive after-school intramurals and clubs for early adolescents. In addition, we are proud of the programs that successfully educate special needs students, from preschool and multiply disabled elementary programs to the High School North Academy. In the last five years we have returned many of these students from out of district placements to our own community schools, thereby reducing costs and allowing young people to learn with their neighborhood peers.
   Outstanding student achievement is the hallmark of the WW-P Schools. Such accomplishment is demonstrated on standardized tests where WW-P students continue to surpass state and national counterparts. It is a tribute to the talents of our students and teachers that we continue to have a graduation rate of almost 100 percent. Ninety-six percent of high school students indicated that they planned to attend college or other post-secondary education. SAT/ACT scores are far above state and national averages. Follow-up data indicates that our students continue to be successful in post secondary education as well.
   The 2009-2010 proposed budget reflects our continued commitment to excellence and honors the challenges of a tightening financial climate. It is gratifying to be able to serve the interests of the community by providing opportunities for all students to realize their full potential through high-quality, school-based learning experiences.
Richard Kaye, chair
Curriculum Committee
West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional
School District Board of Education