POUGHKEEPSIE – For the first time in 13 years, all five elementary schools in the Poughkeepsie City School District have been designated as being in “Good Standing” by the State Department of Education. The announcement comes just days after Governor Hochul announced plans to cut funding to the struggling school district – a plan that is opposed by Senator Rob Rolison and PCSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser.
The improved designations for the 2023-2024 school year mean all elementary schools in the district have demonstrated progress in the areas of student achievement, student growth, chronic absenteeism, and English language learners. The district rolled out an absentee program in the fall of last year to help improve attendance. More on the attendance plan can be found here.
“I am beyond ecstatic of this historical achievement the Poughkeepsie City School District has achieved. For over a decade, the Poughkeepsie City School District has been considered a low-performing school district,” said Dr. Rosser. “The efforts of all of our elementary school teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, and strategic community partners are evidenced through the 2023-2024 state accountability designations.”
Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, the goal is for all students to receive a quality education. The law requires that state educational agencies hold public schools accountable for how students achieve. NYSED’s indicators to measure school performance include achievement in English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies including student growth and school progress, progress of English language learners, chronic absenteeism and for high schools – graduation rates and preparing students for college, career and civic engagement.
Morse Elementary School moves out of receivership status and Clinton Elementary School moves out of additional target support status to join Krieger Elementary School, the Early Learning Center at Smith and Warring Elementary School (achieved “Good Standing” in 2022-2023) in sharing this designation.
