ELA, Math Test Scores in the Mail

Individualized score reports for children in Grades 3-8 that took the New York State English Language Arts (ELA) and math exams last spring should be in the mail by month's end, according to superintendent of schools Dr. Robert Feirsen.

Nassau BOCES is mailing the reports to parents.

As anticipated, since implementation of the new Common Core standards, test scores were generally lower as a whole across New York State, including Garden City.

"This doesn't mean our scores were poor," Dr. Feirsen said. "In fact, in a couple of cases, we had the number one or number two ranking in New York State so collectively we did pretty well. Relatively, there's been some change."

Dr. Feirsen said those changes stem from more rigorous exams based on Common Core standards as well as changes in "cut scores," used to rate a student's proficiency level on a scale of 1-4. "This resulted in more students, percentage wise, in Level 2 or Level 1 than in previous years," he said.

In Garden City, 324 third graders took the ELA test - 51.9 percent scored in Level 3; 9.6 in Level 4; 27.2 in Level 2; and 11.4 in Level 1. The mean scale score was 323. There were 329 eighth graders that took the math test - 42.6 scored in Level 3; 14.6 in Level 4; 37.7 in Level 2; and 5.2 in Level 1. The mean scale score was 324. For a full overview of Garden City school district test scores, click here.

Under the new state standards, children are expected to read more non-fiction, develop a bigger vocabulary through English language lessons, and in math, work more deeply in fewer topics and spend time practicing and memorizing math facts.

According to the New York State Education Department, 31.1 percent of grade 3-8 students across the state met or exceeded the ELA proficiency standard while 31 percent met or exceeded the math proficiency standard.

In a letter to parents State Education Commissioner John B. King, Jr. said the change in test scores does not mean students are learning less or that teachers and schools are performing worse than last year.

"I understand these scores are sobering for parents, teachers, and principals. It's frustrating to see our children struggle," King said in a statement on the New York State Education Department website. "But we can't allow ourselves to be paralyzed by frustration; we must be energized by this opportunity. The results ... are not a critique of past efforts; they're a new starting point on a roadmap to future success."

Dr. Feirsen said the state education department came out with "crosswalks" between old and new scores to see which students need Academic Intervention Services (AIS).

"The state says that students who would have scored better last year, in Level 3 or Level 4, don't need academic services so they're kind of talking out of two sides of their mouth," he said. "On one hand they say the test is designed to prepare kids for higher standards ... on the other hand, they say don't worry about those that scored lower because if you look at what it means last year it would be fine. So what does that mean for parents?"

The district's approach? Do what it's always done. Educators will look at each child's individual performance and make a determination as to whether additional support is needed.

"That's really what we have to go on. We really don't know the accuracy of the new exam. We don't have any history of the new exam. It's really just a baseline for future exams so it's hard for us to tell what exactly this means for the long term ... We're trying to make this as pragmatic as possible. We think this is the most judicious approach."

Dr. Teresa Prendergast, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Garden City Public Schools, reassured the community that the district will make decisions in the best interest of Garden City children.

"If we recognize and anticipate a need for support for our students they will receive the support that's necessary," she said. "Classroom teachers, parents and building principals know our children best and we will do what's in their best interest in terms of academic support."

She added that the district is ahead of the curve preparing for the Common Core curriculum. "We feel very confident. We have done a very good job in terms of preparing students for college and career," she said, adding that high school results are surpassing state averages. "It's hard to believe but our students outperform the prior year's graduating statistics. I'm very, very confident the district is absolutely moving in right direction."

Parents concerned about their child's scores are encouraged to reach out to teachers and building principals.