New York State's assessments of math and English Language Arts (ELA) for grades three through eight were longer this year, going from two days of testing to three.
Even with the change, the percentage of students who met or exceeded the proficiency standard on both exams increased slightly from 2011 to 2012.
"There is some positive momentum in these numbers," said Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch. "But too many of our students, especially students of color, English Language Learners and special education students, are currently not on a course for college and career readiness. That's why we are continuing to press forward with critical reforms to ensure all of our kids are ready for college and careers. In the fall, we will begin to phase in a new, more challenging, content-rich curriculum and continue to press for the implementation of a rigorous teacher evaluation system in every district across the state."
Pearl River is among the districts that have already turned in its plan for Annual Professional Performance Reviews (APPR). The district has been working on incorporating the new state standards as well. Check back with Pearl River Patch later this week for reaction from the district to the state scores, once the administration has had time to look more closely at the results. Pearl River's scores are broken down below.
For full results from across the state, click here. The news release from the NYSED is attached to this report.
New York State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said that the 2013 assessments will be more difficult and will reflect the curriculum changes mandated by the state.
"We're building a ladder, grade by grade, to college and career readiness," King said. "These results are a small, positive sign of growth, but not enough of our students are climbing as steadily as they should be. Next school year, we start to implement reforms to make that ladder strong enough to support all of our students as they climb toward college and career readiness."
This year 55.1% of students in grades three through eight met or exceeded the ELA proficiency standard, an increase from last year's 52.8%. The number of students who met or exceeded the standard in math rose from 63.3% to 64.8%.
Nikki Jones, communications director for the Alliance for Quality Education, said that the improvement is not enough and cuts in state aid will only make things worse.
"The statewide test scores released today by the State Education Department show that a significant portion of New York’s public school students are not being prepared for college or careers," Jones said. "Students with disabilities, English language learners, and students of color continue to feel the impact of Albany’s recent painful budget cuts to their schools. Even amidst slight progress, the achievement gap between these student populations and the state average is staggering.
"In September, students will return to classrooms with even fewer teachers and programs due to the effects of the recent state aid cuts. New York’s commitment to funding equity must be restored. All students deserve to an equal opportunity to learn and to become college and career ready."
Students score at four levels, with those scoring in level three and four either meeting or exceeding learning standards. The levels are as follows:
- Level 1: not meeting learning standards
- Level 2: partially meeting learning standards
- Level 3: Meeting learning standards
- Level 4: Meeting learning standards with distinction
State assessments were administered in April. The state released the results in August last summer.
The chart below breaks down Pearl River's scores, with comparisons to 2011 at each level. Pearl River had a higher number of students at Level 3 and Level 4 at every grade level in ELA except third, which has students taking state assessments for the first time.
More Pearl River School District students met or exceeded the standard in math in third, fourth, sixth and eighth grade. The percentage dropped in fifth and seventh grades.
ELA Assessment
2010-11 percentage in Levels 3 & 4
2011-12 percentage in Levels 3 & 4
PRSD all elementary schools -- Grade 3
80.5
78.8
PRSD all elementary schools -- Grade 4
71.5
85.6
Evans Park Grade 3
79.7
65.7
Evans Park Grade 4
63
81.8
Franklin Ave Grade 3
83.4
92.7
Franklin Ave Grade 4
75.4
91.6
Lincoln Ave Grade 3
78.6
77.6
Lincoln Ave Grade 4
76.4
83.6
PRMS Grade 5
73.3
74
PRMS Grade 6
81
85.5
PRMS Grade 7
74.4
82.6
PRHS Grade 8
69.2
75.4
Math Assessment
2010-11 percentage in Levels 3 & 4
2011-12 percentage in Levels 3 & 4
PRSD all elementary schools -- Grade 3
81.7
82.0
PRSD all elementary schools -- Grade 4
77.7
91.2
Evans Park Grade 3
79.7
68.7
Evans Park Grade 4
63.5
90.9
Franklin Ave Grade 3
86.7
95.8
Franklin Ave Grade 4
87
91.7
Lincoln Ave Grade 3
78.5
80.9
Lincoln Ave Grade 4
83.3
90,9
PRMS Grade 5
92.8
82.3
PRMS Grade 6
93
96.1
PRMS Grade 7
95.2
90.1
PRHS Grade 8
87.7
90
