Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard. FILE PHOTO
State Education Commissioner David Steiner recalibrated the state's English and math proficiency exams students took during the 2009-2010 school year. As a result, test scores dropped in districts across the state, including Rochester.
In the Rochester City School District, the grades 3-8 English Language Arts raw test scores showed that 59 percent of city schools students passed the exams. After the recalibration, 26 percent passed.
The 3-8 math scores showed 64 percent of city schools students had passed the exams. After recalibration, only 28 percent passed.
The exams are given statewide and intended to gauge student proficiency. Earlier this year, Steiner warned that he would push for higher standards in an effort to improve college readiness. The recalibrated scores do not impact graduation rates in the short term, but clearly raise the bar for future graduation requirements.
City schools Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard favors the more rigorous standard, but was critical of the commissioner's decision to recalibrate the exams after students were tested. The raw scores, Brizard said in a written statement, have been on a steadily improving trajectory.
All of the state's Big Five school district's scores were lowered. The scoring change impacted urban school districts the most.
Comments for "EDUCATION: Math, ELA test scores plunge in city schools" (3)
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Tom Petronio said on Jul. 28, 2010 at 3:48pm
The headline “Math, ELA test scores plunge in city schools” is, unfortunately, the impression the average person will likely come away with following today’s announcement by the State Education Department. Those who look beyond headlines know that the “plunge” that befell schools across the state was the result of changes in test scoring methods applied by State Ed after students took the exams.
There is no question that tests must be accurate measures of students’ proficiency. Superintendent Brizard has stated that the Rochester City School District supports the push at the state level to better prepare students for the rigor of college and that the district has that very focus as the goal of its own work.
Our community should know, however, that under the rules that students and teachers worked in 2009-10, scores in most cases improved as they have the last two years. That hard work and improved performance should not be overlooked.
Art Vandelay said on Jul. 29, 2010 at 9:09am
Mr. Petronio, with all due respect, I don't think the readers of City Newspaper need your patronization. We can all read between the lines from what I can see, even with the improving math & ELA scores, there is a lot of room for improvement.
Daniel said on Aug. 02, 2010 at 5:41pm
Another good reason to try Mayoral control of the schools. Our current system is broken.
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