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Data Provider: NYS Education Department
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Education |
New York State has instituted new higher standards for all students in Mathematics. To measure students' achievements of these standards, the state adopted new assessments 1998/99 school year than realigned the tests again in 2005/06. In 1998/99 through 2004/05 students were assessed in grades 4 and 8 only. Since 2005/06, students are assessed in grades 3-8. The number reported is the number of students scoring at or above proficiency. The percent reported is the number of students meeting proficiency divided by the number of student tested, multiplied by 100. |
Assessments are offered in mathematics at the elementary and middle-levels. Mathematics is one of the three areas used to determine accountability for schools and districts. The assessments are based on State learning standards for these content areas and grade levels. Raw scores for these assessments are converted to four performance levels:
* Level 1: Not Meeting the Learning Standard. Student performance does not demonstrate an understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
* Level 2: Partially Meeting the Learning Standard. Student performance demonstrates a partial understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
* Level 3: Meeting the Learning Standard. Student performance demonstrates an understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
* Level 4: Meeting the Learning Standards with Distinction. Student performance demonstrates a thorough understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
Students are considered to be proficient if they are achieving at a level 3 or 4.
Prior to the 1998/99 school year, Pupil Evaluation Program (PEP) tests were the primary State measures of student performance. A key difference is that the new tests are not minimum competency tests and are now administered to students in all grades 3-8. They are more challenging and require students to write extended responses to questions. The tests will help improve teaching in classrooms and focus instruction on the needs of each student. |
The percentage of students meeting proficiency in mathematics increased for all grades at the State, New York City and, the Rest of State level from 2005/06 to 2006/07 and from 2006/07 to 2007/08. The largest increases were seen at the upper grade levels. The Rest of State level showed the largest increase from 2006/07 to 2007/08 in grade 7 (72.2% to 84.2%) and the smallest increase in grade 4 (83.2% to 86.2%). New York City scores showed the largest increase in grade 8 (45.9% to 59.7%) and the smallest increase in grade 3 (82.5% to 87.2%). State scored showed the largest increase in grade 7 (66.6% to 79.0%) and the smallest increase in grade 4 (80.0% to 83.9%). Overall, the percentage of students meeting proficiency on the mathematics exams tends to be lower as the grade level increases so it is good to see the upper grades making the largest gains. |
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