Merricks' test scores surpass county average

Grades for the New York state English Language Arts and mathematics exams are in, and once again the Merrick and North Merrick school districts’ results surpassed the county average in nearly every grade.

Sixth-graders were particularly successful in both districts. In North Merrick, 89.5 percent of sixth-graders reached either Level 3 or 4 on the ELA test, representing the second-highest passing percentage in the county for the ELA. Merrick sixth-graders, meanwhile, had the third-highest percentage on the ELA, at 89.4 percent.

“Overall, we were very pleased with our results, especially in English Language Arts, which really were outstanding,” said David Feller, superintendent of the North Merrick School District.

On the math test, 93.1 percent of Merrick sixth-graders reached Level 3 or higher, tying the district for the third-highest percentage countywide, whereas 89.4 percent of North Merrick sixth-graders reached Level 3 or higher, exceeding the county average of 71.1 percent.

“We’re very pleased overall with our test scores,” said Lisa Ruiz, the assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and pupil services in the Merrick School District. “We are always looking to improve the achievements of our students, and we’re always looking to focus our efforts in ways that can lead to better outcomes.”

Students who score at Level 1 and 2 on the annual standardized tests are deemed to be in need of remedial help, known as academic intervention services, while students who score at Level 3 or 4 have passed state proficiency standards and do not require additional instruction. Feller said that students who need support are provided with extra help, either by their teachers in class or by specialists outside the classroom. Parents of children who require AIS are notified in September, before the services begin.