Pearl River School District Administrators got their first look at the data from the New York State Assessments in math and English Language Arts when the state released the results Tuesday.
Students in grades three through eight were tested in April. The percentage of students who met or exceeded state proficiency standards on both exams increased slightly across the New York.
Overall the numbers showed improvement among Pearl River's students as well. Pearl River administrators also saw positive signs in their own district's results. A breakdown of the results is below.
"A review of our assessment scores indicate cohort progress in most grades in both ELA and math," Pearl River Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Morgano said. "It is always our goal that our students demonstrate growth. Our outcomes are the result of a team effort with our teachers, principals, parents and our Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction.
"As the school year begins, we will work with our teachers and principals to focus our attention on those students who did not demonstrate adequate growth according to our anticipated targets. At the same time we will also focus on those students who met the targets to increase their ELA and math ability as demonstrated by scoring high in the level 4 range in the future. We are also aware that the NYS assessments are but one measure of student growth and achievement."
Pearl River Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Sue Wheeler plays a key role in the analysis of the data and its application in the classroom.
"We are very pleased with this first look at the 3-8 ELA and Math results. We will continue to pull the data apart by building, by grade and by student to determine the next level of instruction," Wheeler said.
One challenge in looking at this data can be changes in the exams themselves. From 2011 to 2012, the state assessment tests were made longer. New York State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said in through a news release Tuesday that the 2013 assessments will be more difficult and will reflect the curriculum changes mandated by the state.
For full results from across the state, click here. The news release from the NYSED is attached to this report.
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
