Local Districts Show Overall Improvement in State Test Scores

Local school districts are analyzing the latest test data released by the state education department on Monday. Overall, the number of students in local districts meeting or exceeding new state proficiency standards rose this year, an encouraging sign after new, tougher state standards

Last year, the state changed the scoring system, aligning its tests to new national standards that are being developed to better prepare students for high school, college and work. The change came after officials reviewed studies relating poor performance on the tests in grades 3 through 8 to lower regents scores—and the need for college remediation down the road. 

For a detailed explanation of the standards, click here.

Statewide, 61 percent of English test takers met or exceeded proficiency standards (achieving a level 3 or 4) this year, up from 53 percent last year. By contrast, 77 percent achieved the same proficiency level in 2009, before the bar was raised. In math, 63 percent of students met or exceeded standards this year, up from 53 percent last year and down from a high of 86 percent in 2009.

Locally, this year's numbers show overall improvement.

"One thing we do like to look at is the cohort performance—how grade three from last year did in grade four this year," said Drew Patrick, assistant superintendent for education in the Bedford Central School District. "These results are, on the whole, promising. It is important to note that the tests did change in length and quantity of assessed content this year, arguably making them more rigorous."

Each cohort showed improvement across the board in English. For example, 63 percent of third-graders in Bedford last year achieved a level 3 or 4 on the English exam; as a fourth-grade cohort, 69 percent did so. In math, results were more mixed, with more students in grades 4, 5 and 7 meeting or exceeding standards but fewer in 6 and 8 doing so this year.

Patrick said the district would be continuing their analysis of the scores.

In Katonah-Lewisboro, almost every single cohort improved in performance in both English and math. Fourth-graders showed marked improvement in math, with 93 percent meeting or exceeding proficiency standards, up from 74 percent achieved as third-graders in 2010.

Alice Cronin, assistant superintendent for instruction, and Paul Kreutzer, superintendent of schools, were both out of the office and unavailable for comment.

For a breakdown of district performance see comparison charts below.

New York administers the standardized English Language Arts and math tests each year to students in third through eighth grades. The tests are used to determine whether schools are in compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind law, which mandates that all students be proficient in reading and math by 2014.

2011 Test Scores by District

Chart indicates the number of students tested, and the percentage of students who achieved levels 1 - 4, followed by the mean score.

Katonah-Lewisboro 

Bedford Central

2010 Test Scores by District

Chart indicates the number of students tested, and the percentage of students who achieved levels 1 - 4, followed by the mean score.

Katonah-Lewisboro

Bedford Central