Superintendent
Karen McGraw
Superintendent of Schools
KMcGraw@newlebanoncsd.org
14665 Rt. 22
New Lebanon, NY 12125
518 794-9016 ext. 2001
From the Desk of the Superintendent…Karen McGraw
As a means to continue improving our student academic achievement, I have been working with the principals and teachers on four initiatives. The first is to enhance our students’ experiences through differentiated instruction. What this means is that teachers plan a variety of learning experiences that address different learning styles and also teachers provide materials or tasks that keep students challenged but not frustrated.
The second initiative is to develop an environment of high expectations for all students. This means that we look for opportunities to enrich students’ experiences, to accelerate their learning, and to use technology to support student learning.
The third initiative fosters the use of student data to efficiently address student needs. This means that we use test scores, assessment of daily progress, and observation to determine what works best for students.
Finally, the last initiative is a focus on the curriculum. It is important to identify what is essential for students to learn. Today there is more information then ever before in our history. In order for our students to be successful in a global economy, they need an excellent foundation but they also need to be able to use that foundation to know how to problem-solve, locate specific and appropriate information, and to communicate well. Our curriculum work helps us accomplish this objective.