By Rachel Kalina
For the first time in March 2006, students in grades three through seven took the New York State English Language Arts and mathematics exams due to a stipulation in the No Child Left Behind Act. The fourth and eighth grades, which began taking the math test in 1999, were tested on more difficult material.
Students taking the math exams were graded on a scale of one through four, with a one signifying "serious academic problems," a two showing the student "partially meets standards," a three exhibiting all the standards are met, and a four indicating that students have "exceeded standards."
In West Hempstead, the third, seventh and eighth grades had a higher percentage of students meeting standards than the country average. In Malverne, the eighth grade also exceeded that average.
Districts use the math scores to determine if standards are being met, and to identify students who need support.
³We'll be giving results to teachers who had the students last year,² said West Hempstead Assistant Superintendent Ann Peluso, "and to those who have them this year so they know what the strengths and weaknesses are of the students they're currently teaching."
Curriculum changes were made in March 2005. This year, for the first time, there are established goals for each grade level. Those goals are further divided into learning goals for the fall and spring terms. Peluso sees outlining goals for student standards as a positive.
"It's much more helpful," she said, "We know what we have to cover."
According to the state Education Department, the changes in the tests make it difficult to compare this year to previous years.
"[S]ome algebra and geometry content that had been in grades five through eight was moved to grade four," read a press release issued on the department Web site, "and some algebra and geometry content that had been in high school math moved to grade eight. Therefore, the 2006 grade 4 and 8 math tests were more difficult that tests in previous years."
Compared to their peers, students in Malverne and West Hempstead achieved better results on the math exam than the English Language Arts. One grade in each district exceeded the Nassau County average on the ELA, and in Malverne, every grade scored higher on the math test than it had on the ELA.
Comments about this story? RKalina@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 282.
