News
State Education Department releases test scores based on new scoring system Scores aren’t comparing ‘apples to apples’
 |
| Superintendent Dr. Michael Mugits takes a closer look at the grades 3-8 testing results. Since the NY State Education Department and Board of Regents raised the proficiency level bar, the testing results from year to year are not comparing ‘apples to apples.’ |
Scores released yesterday on this year’s New York
State 3-8 English
and math exams showed a sharp decline in proficiency
from recent
years statewide — not because student performance decreased
but because the state has significantly changed its standards of
proficiency.
Under the state’s testing system,
“cut scores”
are used to classify students into one of four performance levels.
Students at Level 1 are below standard; those at Level 2 meet the basic
standard; pupils at Level 3
meet the proficiency standard; and those at
Level 4 exceed the proficiency standard. SED has just raised the cut
scores for Level 3, meaning students must achieve at higher levels than
ever before in
order to be considered proficient.
“We’re not comparing apples to apples anymore in terms of examining test data for growth between this year and the year before,” said Green Island Superintendent Dr. Michael Mugits. “Because of this new scoring system, we’re comparing apples to oranges, since the point separating ‘passing’ and ‘not passing’ has been changed. It’s like taking a Regents exam and finding out that a score of 65 and above is no longer passing and instead you must achieve at 75 and above to pass.”
For example, 67 percent of Heatly third-grade students in 2009 scored a level 3 or 4 on the NYS English language arts exam under the old scoring system. The same students took the NYS English language arts exam this past May as fourth graders, and only 61 percent scored at a level 3 or 4 based on the new cut scores. If the minimum passing score hadn’t been significantly increased, 78 percent of fourth graders would have scored at a level 3 or 4.
“I’m proud of our students and teachers because we improved in most areas when you compare last year’s raw scores to this year’s,” said Mugits. “Unfortunately, the state has imposed this new scoring system and we have to adjust to new guidelines and continue our improved efforts.”
In the days and weeks ahead, district administrators will be taking a closer look at the testing results to analyze individual student scores, identify trends, and compare how Green Island students would have fared on the assessments under the previous scoring procedures.
Heatly will continue to provide Academic Intervention Services to all students who qualify. The school district will also be looking at its curriculum to help prepare students for next year’s exams.
“Our goal is to have everyone do the best they can and to meet their learning potential at all ages and stages,” said Mugits.
Individual students’ testing reports are expected to be mailed to households in August.
Read article posted on July 28, 2010.
For more information, go to the
SED website.
