State releases Common Core test results

The state last month announced that Minnesota-based Questar Assessment would take over development of the tests, replacing Pearson, whose contract ends in December. “We’ve set the highest standards anywhere in the nation, and the reforms we are undertaking are giving students, teachers and families the tools they need to succeed”.

“There was certainly more that opted-out this year than in previous years”, Perillo said.

Mike Fulton, superintendent of the Pattonville School District, said that the state numbers can be useful, even if there is only one year’s worth of data, but they will have to be viewed in a different way.

Also showing an increase was the number of students who opted out of taking the tests.

Broadalbin-Perth Central School District had a greater participation rate compared to Amsterdam and Fonda-Fultonville. Twenty percent – or 363,636 students – opted out of the exams.

The state Education Department confirmed Wednesday what New Yorkers have known for months – that more students than ever before opted out of this year’s English and math exams.

The April analysis found that high test participation rate fell into one of two categories – they are either home to a large number of adults with advanced degrees and high household income, or where more than half the students are categorized by the state as “economically disadvantaged”. “Our tests have been nationally recognized for providing the most honest look at how prepared our students are for future success, and we believe annual assessments are essential to ensure all students make educational progress and graduate college and career ready”.

Individual student score reports will be available to schools to share with parents in the coming weeks.

Perillo said the review of data had only been preliminary in the hours since its release, but he did see some areas of growth in results.

Overall, students performed better on math tests than they did on language exams.

“We’ve already adjusted our curriculum for next year”, he said.

State check scores improved slightly this yr on the statewide Grades Three-Eight English and math exams.

The results showed that the percentage of students who scored at the proficient level in English remained about the same, from 31.3 percent in 2015 compared to 30.6 percent in 2014.

“We are especially encouraged by what we’re seeing in English – many of Missouri’s students are demonstrating proficiency in reading, context, writing and listening effectively and planning research”.

Still, the fight helped fuel the opt-out movement this year.

The state Education Department on Wednesday released the results of English and math exams for elementary and middle-school students that showed modest improvement over the past two years.

2015 was their first full school year at the helm of the city school system, and the third year since officials adjusted the tests to align with the Common Core standards, which sent scores tumbling in 2013.

These are valid concerns, and the state would do well to reach out to districts with high opt-out rates, meet with parents and hear what they have to say. On the math tests, 38.1 percent of students were proficient, compared to 36.2 percent in 2014 and 31.1 percent in 2013.