When state English and math test scores for grades 3 through 8 were released in August, the results likely raised the
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eyebrows of many students and parents.
The test results for BKW students showed a sharp decline in proficiency levels — not because student performance decreased, but because the state has significantly changed its standards.
State officials recently announced they would increase the scoring targets (or “cut scores”) on the exams after research showed that a large percentage of New York’s students were not adequately prepared for college.
This announcement came in July, just before results were to be released from English and math exams completed in the spring.
With this change, students had to score higher on exams than they did in previous years to be considered “proficient.”
For example, a third grader in 2009 had to score at least 650 points on the English exam to meet the standard. This year, third graders had to score at least 662 points on the same exam.
BKW Superintendent Dr. Paul Dorward said this change doesn’t mean that students are learning less than in previous years.
“Upon hearing the announcement from the state about the change in standards, we immediately expected to see a drop in the number of students reaching proficiency. So, we decided to compare the 2009 scores and 2010 scores using the old proficiency standards. This way, we could see just how much the new standards affected student performance,” Dorward said. “We found that had the old standards remained in place for our 2010 results, our students would have shown similar levels of proficiency in English and math.”
At the same time, Dorward said the district is answering the state’s call to hold students to a higher standard.
“The bar has been set higher, and we are doing the same here at BKW,” he added. “It’s clear we need to do more to prepare our students for higher education.”
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