Ossining's Students In Grades 3-8 Score Below State Average

OSSINING, N.Y. – The percentage of students considered proficient in math and English language arts for grades three to eight was significantly lower in 2013 throughout New York state, including in Ossining schools, which came in below the state average.

The majority of Ossining students scored lower than the state average.
Photo Credit: *Nathan Bruttell*

by The Daily Voice

08/08/2013 5:00 a.m.

According to the state’s assessment tests, given to students in third- to eighth-grade, 41 percent of Westchester students were at grade level in ELA and 40 percent of county students were at grade level in math.

The state results for Ossining and Westchester schools showed the following percentages:

Grade Three – 27.5 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 32.7 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 40.6 percent for ELA and 41.2 percent for math.
Grade Four – 27.5 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 28 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41.6 percent for ELA and 46.1 percent for math.
Grade Five – 24.6 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 24.1 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41 percent for ELA and 39.4 percent for math.
Grade Six – 27.5 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 28.4 percent in math. The Westchester County average was 46.6 percent for ELA and 40.6 percent for math.
Grade Seven – 22.6 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 29 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41.1 percent for ELA and 37.3 percent for math.
Grade Eight – 32.5 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 15.7 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 44.2 percent for ELA and 37 percent for math.

Statewide results for New York students in grades three to eight showed that 31.1 percent of students in grade three to eight met or exceeded the ELA proficiency standard, and 31 percent met or exceeded the math proficiency standard.

The lower results do not reflect a decrease in performance for schools or students, but rather a raising of standards to reflect college and career readiness, according to state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr.

"I understand these scores are sobering for parents, teachers, and principals. It's frustrating to see our children struggle,” King said in the release. “But we can't allow ourselves to be paralyzed by frustration; we must be energized by this opportunity. The results we've announced today are not a critique of past efforts; they're a new starting point on a roadmap to future success.”

The state said it does not intend to identify any new “Focus Districts” or “Priority schools” based on the 2012-13 assessment results.

For the complete report go to the state Education Department website here.

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