By Jason Scheer
The report cards, an overview of district performance in English Language Arts, mathematics and science, were released last week by the New York State Education Department.
In Malverne, students at all grade levels outperformed their peers across New York state. For example, in elementary level English Language Arts, 50 percent of students scored at level 3, indicating that they meet state standards and, with continued steady growth, should pass the Regents exam. Also, 25 percent of the district scored at level 4, indicating that they are exceeding state standards and are prepared to score high on the Regents. Statewide, 48 percent of students scored at level 3 and 15 percent scored at level 4.
The results were similar throughout other ages and concentrations, with the exceptions of middle-school science and high school English. On both these exams, a larger percentage of students statewide scored at level 4 than did students in Malverne.
At the state level, 28 percent of students scored at level 4 on the middle-school science exams, compared with 14 percent of students in Malverne. However, more Malverne students (59 percent) scored at level 3 than did students statewide (44 percent).
On the high school English Achievement section, a similar pattern emerged. Twenty-three percent of Malverne students scored 85 to 100 on the Regents exam, compared with 34 percent of students statewide. But, again, more Malverne students (57 percent) scored between 65 and 84 than the state average (44 percent), meaning that more students, on average, passed the Regents in Malverne than at the state level.
Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley, Superintendent of the Malverne School District, said she thinks the report denotes a positive overall shift. "We're headed in the right direction," she said.
Deputy Superintendent of Schools Diane Scricca said the numbers are a good start, but the district wants further improvement. She also identified the number of students receiving Regents diplomas as an area that needs improvement. "We're not settling for these increases - we want to get better," she said.
West Hempstead students also outperformed their counterparts from across the state. In all categories except for middle-school science, a higher percentage of students in West Hempstead scored at the highest level than did students statewide. And even in middle-school science, the results were encouraging, with 25 percent of students in West Hempstead attained a level 4 rating, compared with 26 percent statewide. The number of students receiving a level 3 score far outweighed that scant deficiency at level 4, as 63 percent of West Hempstead students in middle-school science attained level 3, compared with 44 percent statewide.
Dr. Carol Eisenberg, Superintendent of the West Hempstead School District, said the report shows the district is making incremental improvements. However, she also acknowledged that she "would like to see a little more."
Eisenberg singled out the eighth-grade performance on state English exams as an area that was targeted for improvement this year. She said that thanks to district changes, performance will certainly improve on next year's report card. "I anticipate we will make a big jump this year," she said.
A full copy of the state's report card is available online at www.nysed.gov.
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