Letter to Parents of Freshman
December 2007
Dear Parents:
I am meeting with all students in grade 9 to distribute and discuss the results of the National Educational Development Test administered October 17th to all freshmen. The NEDT includes an educational ability test and tests of educational development in four basic areas: English Usage, Mathematics Usage, Natural Science Reading and Social Studies Reading. I am enclosing a copy of the test results in this mailing. In our individual meeting I will interpret the results with them and make suggestions for academic development and strengthening areas of weakness.
Since these achievement tests are administered at the very beginning of high school, your daughter has four full years to develop academic skills that may be lacking. The skill area data can be extremely helpful in identifying specific strengths and weaknesses. Weaknesses will be (and are being) addressed in her skills-oriented program at Notre Dame Academy. But, in addition, the student should make a concentrated effort to remedy deficiencies and master these essential skills both for better results in her school work and for future testing achievement. Your daughter’s areas of strength may also suggest a future career interest. National, college-bound and local percentiles enable you to compare your daughter’s performance (in this one test) with different groups. This year the average percentiles for NDA are Composite, 77; English Usage, 70; Math Usage, 88: Natural Science Reading, 51: Social Studies Reading, 61.
While the NDA class of 2011 scores are significantly above the national average in all areas, the mean score (average percentiles) in reading are somewhat below those in English and mathematics usage. Educators are increasingly concerned that young people are not reading as much as they should. Our teachers are developing skills through regular reading in English and other content subjects such as history and science. Since there is no single element more essential to academic success than strong reading skills, I urge you to encourage your daughter to READ, READ, READ. Challenging reading should be part of her daily routine. If your daughter consistently scores poorly in reading tests and has difficulty with reading comprehension, you may want to consider a remedial and/or developmental reading program.
On January 9th, Paul Lynskey, from the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority will present a Financial Aid workshop at 7:00 P.M. In addition to specific discussion of the Federal Form (FAFSA) and the CSS PROFILE, he will cover areas of financial planning, loans, scholarships and other options for paying for college. Parents of students in all classes are encouraged to attend.
May the Peace of the Christmas season be with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kelly Begun, Guidance Counselor
Notre Dame Academy
425 Salisbury Street, Worcester MA 01609
Phone: 508-757-6200/ FAX: 508-757-1888