New York City public school students showed marked gains on state standardized math tests this year, according to the state Education Department, which administers the annual tests. The percentage of those meeting or exceeding state math standards in grades 3 through 8 rose by an average of 8.1 points between 2006 and 2007, to 65.1 percent of all city students. While every grade showed gains, the highest increases were in grades 6 and 7.
Also significant: the achievement gap between black and Hispanic students and their Asian and white peers narrowed appreciably. The percentage of black and Hispanic students at performance levels 3 and 4 (meeting or exceeding state standards) increased by 9 points and 9.3 points respectively, while Asian students meeting or exceeding state standards increased 4.4 points and white students increased by 5.4 points.
UFT President Randi Weingarten said in a written statement:
“This is a day to celebrate; for kids and teachers in particular, but also for all those who played a supporting role, including parents, administrators, Chancellor Klein and Mayor Bloomberg.
"This dramatic increase in math scores is further evidence of the importance of quality teachers being able to use a strong, consistent curriculum. It takes time for students to master a new curriculum and for teachers to figure out the best way to teach it. Unlike English Language Arts, we have had a cohesive math curriculum for a number of years and we can see the difference. We also have gotten fewer complaints from teachers about being micromanaged in the classroom.
"If the small group instruction is playing a part here, imagine what would happen if we significantly lowered class sizes for everyone?”
UFT Vice President for Elementary Schools Michelle Bodden appeared with Mayor Bloomberg at the June 12 City Hall press conference announcing the results, and the mayor thanked city teachers, principals and parents for their work in helping students “realize these record gains.”
A comprehensive report by the DOE on the test scores is available here.
