44°
The percentage of New York students considered proficient in math and English Language Arts for grades three to eight was significantly lower than last year's testing results, including the Yorktown Central School District schools. But district spokesperson Karli Wheeler said the district will announce its assessment of the new format scores at a later date.
"When school is back in session, I expect that the teachers and staff will review these scores and more will be shared with the public," Wheeler said Wednesday. "Analyzing the data will take some time but I am sure school officials will look at them and comment on them when school starts back up."
Yorktown Schools scored higher than the state average in a majority of categories. According to the state’s assessment, given to students in third to eighth-grade, 41 percent were at grade level in ELA and 40 percent were at grade level in math.
The state results for the Yorktown Central School District showed the following percentages:
Grade Three – 39.7 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 42.8 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 40.6 percent for ELA and 41.2 percent for math.
Grade Four – 52.2 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 54 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41.6 percent for ELA and 46.1 percent for math.
Grade Five – 47.1 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 45.6 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41 percent for ELA and 39.4 percent for math.
Grade Six – 51 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA and 49 percent in math. The Westchester County average was 46.6 percent for ELA and 40.6 percent for math.
Grade Seven – 51.9 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 50.5 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41.1 percent for ELA and 37.3 percent for math.
Grade Eight – 57.3 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 67 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 44.2 percent for ELA and 37 percent for math.
Statewide results for New York students in grades three to eight showed that 31.1 percent of students in grade three to eight met or exceeded the ELA proficiency standard, and 31 percent met or exceeded the math proficiency standard.
The lower results do not reflect a decrease in performance for schools or students, but rather a raising of standards to reflect college and career readiness, said state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr.
"I understand these scores are sobering for parents, teachers, and principals. It's frustrating to see our children struggle,” King said in the release. “But we can't allow ourselves to be paralyzed by frustration; we must be energized by this opportunity. The results we've announced today are not a critique of past efforts; they're a new starting point on a roadmap to future success.”
The state said it does not intend to identify any new “Focus Districts” or “Priority schools” based on the 2012-13 assessment results.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Yorktown and receive free news updates.
