July 29, 2010—Scores recently released for this year’s grades 3-8 English and math exams showed a sharp decline in proficiency from recent years—not because student performance decreased but because the state has significantly changed its standards of proficiency.

"It's important to note that this doesn't mean our students are learning less than in previous year," said Superintendent Dr. Valerie Kelsey. "The difference is the state has raised the passing grade, and we must work harder to prepare our students to reach a higher level of success going forward."

State officials increased the scoring targets (or "cut scores") on the exams after research showed that a large percentage of New York's students were not adequately prepared for college.  

Under the state’s testing system, cut scores are used to classify students into one of four performance levels. Students at Level 1 are not meeting learning standards; those at Level 2 are partially meeting learning standards; pupils at Level 3 are meeting learning standards and those at Level 4 are meeting learning standards with distinction. The goal is for all students to achieve Level 3 or 4.

SED raised the cut scores for Level 3, meaning students must achieve at higher levels than ever before to be considered proficient.

In the 2008-09 school year, 95 percent of Schalmont students in grades 3-8 scored at or above the Level 3 learning standards on the mathematics assessment. Based on the results released by SED, 77 percent of students in grades 3-8 scored at or above Level 3 on the math assessment in the 2009-10 school year. Similarly, Schalmont students in grades 3-8 taking the NYS English language arts assessment also saw a drop in the number of Level 3 or above test scores—from 85 percent in 2008-09 to 69 percent in 2009-10.

Despite lower test scores district-wide, Schalmont is still well-above the state average when it comes to overall testing results.

Under current regulations, students who score at a Level 2 or below are entitled to receive Academic Intervention Services. However, because the Board of Regents anticipated such a shift statewide and was concerned about the costs it would carry, it has amended AIS requirements for the coming year to give districts some flexibility.

To help ensure every student is on track to succeed in college and beyond, those students who score at or below 650 on the state exam will continue to receive extra help.   

Parents can expect to receive their child's individual scores, when the reports are mailed to households in August. 

Changes are part of a larger trend to raise student achievement
The scoring changes are just one part of the state's larger reform vision to raise student achievement. Within the next few years, the format and standards on the tests are expected to change with the tests becoming longer and more challenging.

The state's other initiatives include developing more rigorous assessments encompassing broader content and the adoption of a statewide curriculum to ensure uniform instruction for all students regardless of the district they attend.

"We are lifting the bar to ensure that New York remains at the very forefront of the national effort to raise standards, " said New York State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch.

Learn more:

• Grade 3-8 Math and English Test Results Released: Cut Scores Set to New College-Ready Proficiency Standards

• Regents approve scoring changes to grades 3-8 math and English tests

• A new standard for proficiency: College readiness (PDF) 

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