By: Jason Scheer
According to figures released by the New York State Education Department, both the Malverne and West Hempstead school districts have shown dramatic improvement in their performance on state-wide math exams.
The figures reflect performance on the tests by fourth- and eighth-graders. Students are graded on four levels, with level one being the lowest and level four the highest. Level four reflects a superior knowledge and consistent understanding of the subject; level three shows general understanding; level two indicates partial understanding; and level one reflects minimal understanding. Students scoring at levels three or four are considered to be meeting or exceeding state standards.
In West Hempstead, 80 percent of 173 eighth-graders in the district scored at levels three or four. That figure is above the 77 percent county-wide average, and also represents a 7 percent increase over the number of students in the district who met the standards last year.
In Malverne, the results were also impressive. According to the report, 85 percent of the 141 eighth-graders in the district scored at levels three or four. That is a significant increase over last year's performance, when only 72.5 percent of the students in the district scored at those levels.
The fourth-graders in West Hempstead performed as ably as their eighth-grade counterparts. Of the 169 fourth-graders in the district, 94.1 percent scored at levels three or four. That represents a 5.4 percent improvement over last year, and is above the county average of 93.9 percent.
The 90.9 percent of Malverne fourth-graders who meet state standards is below the county average. However, the number represents an increase of 11.1 percent over the number of students who passed last year, the biggest improvement in the county.
The figures reflect scores of district students who took the state tests last May. The eighth-grade scores also include advanced-placement seventh graders who took the exam.
Preparation pays off
Administrators in both districts said they were pleased with the results. Carol D. Eisenberg, West Hempstead's superintendent of schools, said that performances on these exams are an excellent predictor of how students will fare on Regents exams they will take in high school. She credits the district's teachers, who have been preparing the students to meet strict state standards.
"On both levels, at the fourth grade and eighth grade levels, the teachers made a concerted effort, along with the director of math and technology. They have been putting every effort into making sure the students are knowledgeable and prepared," she said. "I'm just very pleased."
Dr. Mary Ellen Freeley, Malverne's superintendent of schools, said that the positive results are the product of a similar effort to improve performance. Last year, teachers began rewriting the curriculum to meet the state standards. The district also implemented an extended-day program that provided additional instruction for students who needed help.
"We're very excited," Freeley said. "We did very well. I think it's a great reason for us to celebrate, because we've seen substantial improvement at both the fourth and eight grade levels."
