By ANGELA MARSHALL
State math test shows students need remedial help
Only two of Baldwin's seven elementary schools improved their scores during the second go-round with New York State's new fourth-grade math assessments. The five other schools showed decreased numbers, with between 4 and 25 percent fewer students making it into the two passing categories. Scores for the test taken in May were released late last week.
Dr. Peter Lynch, assistant superintendent, said there is no concrete reason as to why Milburn and Shubert students increased their scores while those at Brookside, Lenox, Meadow, Plaza and Steele went down. "We do not believe it has anything to do with size," he said. Milburn and Shubert are two of the district's smaller schools.
Dr. Lynch said people must remember these are fourth-graders taking the test, so that many factors could affect their scores, especially perceived pressure from parents and media hype. "It depends on a lot of things," he said.
Although the district does not know exactly why scores went down, it is working to strengthen its math program. New books, curriculum and teachers have all been put in place. "We're working hard to improve our scores," Dr. Lynch said.
An outline of these initiatives was given at the October 11 school-board meeting. (See page ?? for further coverage.)
Extra-help sessions have been stepped up, and accountability heightened as to what is covered there. Teachers must now report how they are helping students.
Dr. Lynch said the district is using the test as it was intended -- as just one tool to look for weaknesses in a district's program. "We look at the soft spots and make adjustments," he said.
According to the New York State Department of Education, scores are down statewide. This year, 65 percent of fourth-graders scored in levels 3 and 4, meeting all standards, down from 67 percent in 1999. Seventy-three percent of Baldwin students achieved level 3 or 4.
The state believes students scoring in levels 1 and 2 are not on target to meet the new graduation requirements being phased in. Students in levels 3 and 4 are thought to be on the right track to passing the five Regents exams that eventually will be required for graduation.
All but three percent of Milburn students made the grade, with 97 percent placing at the passing levels. Shubert had 84 percent passing, up six points over last year.
Of the schools that decreased, Steele saw the biggest change. Twenty-five percent more Steele students fell into levels 1 and 2 as compared to last year's results. This year, 56 percent of Steele students achieved levels 3 or 4, down from 81 percent last year.
Brookside fell from 88 percent in the upper levels to 79, Lenox slid from 80 percent to 74, Meadow dropped from 78 percent to 74, and Plaza fell from 83 percent to 69.
Less than half pass 8th-grade test
Falling in line with the rest of the state, less than half of Baldwin's
eighth-graders scored in the upper levels on the new assessment. Approximately 40 percent of eighth-grade students across the state scored in the passing levels. Baldwin topped that by eight percent, with 48 percent of students scoring in levels 3 or 4.
Of the 403 students tested in Baldwin, 14 percent placed in the lowest category and 38 percent fell into level 2, also needing remedial help. The largest number, 44 percent, fell into level 3, and four percent scored in level 4.
Overall, less than half of middle-school students are meeting all the standards in English and math. "This is very troubling overall and especially for children in the highest- needs schools," State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said in a press release last week. "Middle-school principals and teachers where many children are not meeting all the standards need to rethink what they are doing," he
continued. "They need to ask themselves some searching questions."
However, many districts and state legislators believe that the standards were implemented too quickly and without safety nets for at-risk students, such as those needing special education or English as a second language training. These points were raised over and over at roundtable discussions with legislators over the last year.
Dr. Lynch said that a change in scores will not happen overnight, but that he hopes the Baldwin district's efforts will be reflected eventually in higher scores.
