Local schools lagging on state tests

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July 21, 2012

Local schools lagging on state tests

By Mark Boshnack Staff Writer The Daily Star Sat Jul 21, 2012, 03:30 AM EDT

Most area schools scored below the state average on April standardized state tests for grades 3 through 8 in English Language Arts and math. The state Education Department this week released the results.

Statewide, 55.1 percent of students in those grades met or exceeded the state proficiency standards in ELA by scoring a 3 or 4 on the test, according to a media release. On the math test, 64.8 percent met or exceeded the standards. Statewide, there was a slight increase in the percentage on both tests who met or exceeded the standards as compared to last year, the release said. Each test took place over multiple days and included multiple choice and written questions.

At Walton Central School, Superintendent Thomas Austin said the results indicate the need to improve, and teachers and administrators are already working on planning and strategies to do so. The percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards was 41.5 percent on the ELA and 43.73 percent on the math tests. The percentages in 2011 were 43.35 on the ELA and 43.88 on math.

The move during the upcoming school year to a new statewide curriculum in those subjects will help increase the rigor of instruction and improve scores, Austin said. The school's continued efforts to try to better address the educational needs of special education and economically disadvantaged students should also show results.

"We continue to work on being effective educators" through such changes as expanded teacher collaboration and improved use of data from these kinds of tests, Austin said.

At Sidney Central School, the percentages were 48.45 for ELA and 57.41 for math, both below the state averages. Last year's figures were 47.7 and 50.28, respectively.

Superintendent William Christensen said the school has been improving, but "we have a long way to go."

In general, "we expect better results," he said, while noting that individual students within the district tested about where their teachers expected they would, which he said is an important first step in school improvement.

Christensen said the district's goals now include improving instruction and the curriculum.

Recent Regents test scores for the district were good, he said, which indicates the district is "moving in the right direction."

When the individual scores on these tests are received, teachers and administration will get a better idea about specific steps that need to be taken, Christensen added.

The scores were above the state average at Delaware Academy Central School in Delhi, with 59.6 percent of students exceeding the state average in ELA and 73.1 percent in math. In 2011, the figures were 60.08 and 75.2. The district's continued performance is the result of "a complete team approach" that starts with the board of education and includes teachers, students and community. "We have a great staff," Superintendent Jason Thomson said. "I'm honored to work with them."

Despite the accomplishment, "you can't rest on your laurels," he said. The effort to have all students achieve the top ranking will go on. This comes through engaging students in the classroom and "getting them excited about learning," he said.

The scores were below the state average at Unadilla Valley Central School in New Berlin, where 35.51 percent of students met the standards in ELA and 42.08 percent did so in math. In 2011, the figures were 42.48 and 48.42.

A shift last summer to the new state curriculum may have had an impact, Superintendent Robert Mackey said. The 2012 test was built around the current standards.

"We haven't had an opportunity to analyze the scores," Mackey said, but added he was surprised by the results. "Our teachers put a great deal of effort into teaching the common core standards."

By getting a year of experience, "we were hoping for better results."

Teachers will assess the results to better focus instruction for next year, he said.

"We will use it as a tool to help guide professional development," he said.

Speaking about the state averages, state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. said in the release: "These results are a small, positive sign of growth, but not enough of our students are climbing as steadily as they could be."