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New York City — Two years ago, 13-year-old Liam Seminara faced challenges in his academic journey, prompting a transfer to St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Academy in Brooklyn in search of a fresh start.
Now an eighth grader, Liam has significantly improved his performance, testing above grade level and actively participating in the school’s robotics team. His enthusiasm for reading has grown remarkably; he now claims to read “far more” than he did before joining St. Joseph.
Recent data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) highlighted a concerning trend, revealing an average decline of five points in reading scores among fourth and eighth graders nationwide since 2019, exacerbated by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NAEP assessment indicates that a mere 30% of eighth graders in the U.S. are proficient in reading. However, within the Diocese of Brooklyn, nearly 70% of eighth graders excel in both English and math, according to local district data.
Before the pandemic, the district had already observed a downturn in academic performance, prompting a reevaluation of their instructional strategies, as noted by Deacon Kevin McCormack, the superintendent for Catholic Schools of Brooklyn and Queens.
“We had to change the way we were thinking,” McCormack stated.
In response, the district introduced new educational approaches, including specialized coaches like Sophia DeMartino, who guide teachers to enhance lesson effectiveness.
DeMartino, who instructs middle school English at St. Joseph, spoke highly of her coach, Stephanie, saying, “She helps to support me.” She explained that when she feels uncertain about a lesson, Stephanie offers constructive feedback that helps her adjust the lesson plan to achieve better outcomes.
Instruction is also customized to accommodate different skill levels among students by organizing them into smaller groups.
“We all focus on the same subject,” Seminara explained. “What often occurs is that smaller groups learn that subject in a way that best suits their understanding.” He also noted that sometimes the entire class engages in the same lesson together.
DeMartino expressed a significant concern regarding middle schoolers’ relationship with reading, emphasizing the long-term consequences if they fail to develop a passion for it.
“My students aspire to enter the NFL among other careers. However, it’s critical to comprehend written contracts, which often contain complex language,” DeMartino remarked.
In the district, approximately one-third of students benefit from financial aid, with tuition and fundraising initiatives supporting the funding of new programs.
McCormack believes that this model of education could serve as an example for schools across the United States.
“I believe it can be,” he said. “First and foremost, our doors are open to everyone. The key principle is to meet students where they are and help them progress to their full potential.”
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