NY State Test Results Released

The New York State Department of Education released recently the results of the standardized Math and English Language Arts (ELA) tests taken last May by fourth and eighth grade students across New York State.

“Based on the results released, we can say that there has been a rise in the fourth grade math scores over the last two years, but for the most part, the scores on the eighth grade tests for both English and math showed little change. “I continue to be disappointed that the school system has not made greater progress,” said Chancellor Harold Levy.

In NYC nearly one-half of fourth grade students have not met all of the math standards for their grade. The percentage of NYC fourth grade students who achieved the advanced level on the Math assessment increased over five percentage points from 10.0 percent to 15.1 percent in 2001. The percentage of grade four students scoring in the lowest proficiency level, Proficiency Level 1, has declined steadily from 19.3 percent in 1999, 18.4 percent in 2000 and 16.5 percent in 2001.

Since 1999, when the test was first administered, approximately one-third of the grade 8 students in NYC have achieved the ELA standards for their grade. Statewide, the percentage of grade eight students meeting or exceeding ELA standards declined from 48.1 percent in 1999 to 44.9 percent.

“These results make it clearer than ever that we need to rethink how we teach math,” said Levy. “The recommendations of the Math Commission have set the stage for changes we need to make. I am determined to implement them.”

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