GASD parents/guardians,

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) recently released accountability designations for all public school districts as required under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA replaced No Child Left Behind in 2018 and created new accountability standards for measuring student outcomes. The attached fact sheet outlines the accountability system that New York state now uses.

For the 2023-24 school year, Lynch Literacy Academy and RJ McNulty Academy remain designated as Comprehensive Supports and Improvement (CSI) schools, while William H Barkley Elementary school continues to need Additional Targeted Supports and Improvement (ATSI). No changes have occurred in their respective standings.

Tecler Elementary, Amsterdam High School, along with Marie Curie Elementary, maintains its status as Local Support and Improvement (LSI), remaining a commendable standing.

While our schools face many challenges, we recognize that we have several subgroups of students who are not meeting Core Subject Performance indicators on state tests.  One of the first and most important steps we can take is to ensure that every student participates fully in the grade 3-8 New York state assessment exams. Students who do not take the assessment may negatively affect our district when we are measured and ranked with schools across the state.

Over the course of the next school year we will engage in a Comprehensive School Improvement Plan as well as a district-wide plan using “supports” from NYSED as well as our own local resources.  

In the meantime, we will continue to work diligently to serve all of our students and help them achieve academically. If you have any questions, please contact me or building principals, Mike Gennett (Amsterdam High School), John Miller (Tecler Elementary), Meaghan Butterfield (Marie Curie Elementary), Bryan Wood (Lynch Literacy Academy), Tina O’Brien (McNulty Academy) and Nancy Rad (Barkley School).

I appreciate all the work you do to support our students and our school district.

Sincerely,

Richard Ruberti
Superintendent of Schools