Higher bar=lower scores in state math, ELA tests

Local News

July 29, 2010

By Joe Olenick Lockport Union-Sun & Journal The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Thu Jul 29, 2010, 12:44 AM EDT

There are fewer students scoring at proficiency level on the state Math and English Language Arts than a year ago, according to results released Wednesday by the state education department.

However, that could be because this is the first year the state has increased the minimum score needed to meet the proficiency level. In determining scoring levels, the department uses a four-tiered system for the tests. Students who exceed the statewide proficiency standards are placed at level 4 and those who meet the proficiency standards are put at level 3. Those with substandard scores are slotted at levels 1 or 2.

Earlier this month, the state Board of Regents approved increasing the minimum test scores needed to meet level 3 or 4. State officials said this was because success on the tests wasn’t translating into success in school, on college entrance exams and in college.

Some superintendents, such as Michael Wendt in the Wilson School District, have been bracing for lower scores upon hearing about the change. Wendt informed Wilson’s school board Tuesday about the tests and possible outcomes.

“For most, they’ll probably go down,” Wendt said.

The state said as a result of raising the bar for proficiency, fewer students met or exceeded the new mathematics and English standards in 2010 than in previous years. Across grades 3 through 8 statewide, the majority of students, 53 percent in English and 61 percent in math, met or exceeded the new proficiency standards this year. By contrast in 2009, 77 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency in English and 86 percent of students did so in math.

“New, higher cut scores have resulted in fewer students scoring at a proficient level,” said State Education Commissioner David Steiner. “While that is sobering news, it should cause all of us — the state education department, schools, administrators, teachers and parents — to work ever more effectively together to ensure that all children in New York state get the knowledge and skills they need.”

The drop was seen locally, as 54.1 percent of third-graders in the Lockport City School District scored proficiency on the math exam. That was a big drop from the 93.8 percent who met a level 3 or 4 in 2009. In Starpoint, 66 percent of eighth-graders met a level 3 or 4 in math in 2010, compared to 92.8 percent who did so a year ago.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

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