• The Reading and Writing Project of Columbia University's Teachers College is a professional development program designed to improve literacy skills and test scores in the elementary grades. This respected program has achieved proven results in many schools. Teacher's College will provide highly experienced teacher-trainers to work with our faculty in seminars as well as on-site in Roslyn's classrooms. The result will be a fully integrated literacy model that will benefit every student from kindergarten through grade 5. While we have been able to introduce some teacher training on a limited basis this year, it is hoped that with the approval of the 2008-09 budget we will be able to move ahead and introduce the full-scale program throughout all three elementary buildings next year.

• The Alternative Program at Roslyn High School will address the needs of students who are not meeting their potential in the traditional high school environment. In every high school, you will find a small number of intelligent, academically capable students who are not thriving due to a variety of social and personal factors. The alternative program will provide a rigorous academic program for these college-bound students, but in a smaller environment that can address the issues that have been holding them back. By sending fewer Roslyn students to out-of-district programs next year, and by attracting some tuition-paying students from other districts, the alternative program is projected to pay for itself.

• We propose to expand the foreign language program in grade 6 by offering a comprehensive first year of study of a foreign language. Currently, sixth-grade students take an introductory class in Spanish or French for one quarter and do not begin a Regents sequence until grade 7. The expanded program would begin that sequence one year earlier, offering a stronger foundation in a language than we are now providing. In addition to Spanish and French, students will be able to choose Italian for their Regents sequence beginning in grade 6.

• The Summer Academic Program is for students currently in kindergarten through grade 8. The summer program is being revised as an academic program, with a strong emphasis on helping students who need additional instruction be successful in school. Classes will primarily target instruction in English language arts and mathematics for students who have a demonstrated need for additional assistance in those areas.