Schools

Dr. Feirsen: NYS Test Scores Among Highest in Region

Mean scores on NYS math and ELA assessments "well above" comparator districts, according to Garden City schools superintendent.

When it comes to meeting state Education Department academic goals, Garden City Public Schools is holding steady despite tightening school budgets and new state mandates.

That’s according to a report revealing English and math test scores for elementary and middle school students recently released by the state’s education department. 

Here's a sampling of how Garden City fared with regard to meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English and math exams.

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Grade/Test 2011-12 2010-11 4 - ELA 85.4% 86.5% 4 - Math 93.9% 95.3% 8 - ELA 86.4% 87.5% 8 - Math 93.8% 91%

“In Garden City, passing rates on the 2012 New York State math assessments ranged between 89-96 percent; passing rates on the English language arts assessments ranged between 85-92 percent. These scores are among the highest in the region, with mean scores well above our comparator districts," Garden City schools superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen said.

"We are very proud of these results, and are committed to continuous improvement. Congratulations are extended to the school administrators and teachers for their work in support of our students’ performance," he added. "In alignment with the state’s mandate, Garden City Public Schools will begin implementation of the K-12 Common Core Learning Standards this fall.”

Find out what's happening in Garden Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

See the full state report for a school-by-school breakdown, and to see how other neighboring districts performed. The analysis from 2011 is also available.

Newsday reports Long Island schools outperformed the rest of the state

Incremental gains were seen statewide, according to the state education department. The latest report shows that students scored slightly higher this year in both the English and math exams, compared with last year, and that there was a small increase in the percentage of grades 3-8 students across the state who met or exceeded the proficiency standard on both exams.

However, state education officials seem to be setting sights on bigger gains. 

Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch said in a statement that "too many of our students, especially students of color, English Language Learners and special education students, are currently not on a course for college and career readiness. That’s why we are continuing to press forward with critical reforms to ensure all of our kids are ready for college and careers. In the fall we will begin to phase in a new, more challenging, content rich curriculum and continue to press for the implementation of a rigorous teacher evaluation system in every district across the state."

In looking at students in grades 3-8 across the state, the education department is reporting that 55.1 percent of students met or exceeded the English proficiency standard, up from 52.8 in 2011. In addition, 64.8 percent met or exceeded the standard in math, up from 63.3 percent last year.


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