Local schools prepare to meet higher expectations for students
Students might need to study harder next year for regent exams because now they’ll have to reach an even higher score.
The New York State Board of Regents announced new cut scores on the math and English regent exams for third-through-eighth-graders on July 19. Cut scores are used to identify where a student places into one of four proficiency standards.
Students try to place above level one, below standard, and level two, basic standard. Placing in level three, proficiency standard, or level four, exceeding proficiency standard, is what schools aim for. Cut scores are used to determine how prepared a student will be for college.
`Our children will certainly have to improve to meet the new scores and new cut points,` said Valerie Kelsey, superintendent of Schalmont Central School District. `Schalmont students are above the state average. We will work harder with them.`
Since the bar is raised, fewer students currently meet the new standards. Grades three through eight across the state have 53 percent of students reaching the new level three or four in English, and 61 percent in math reaching the same levels. Statewide last year, 77 percent of students reached the same levels in English and 86 percent in math.
`We are doing a great disservice when we say that a child is proficient when that child is not,` said Merryl Tisch, chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents. `Nowhere is this more true than among our students who are most in need.`
Schenectady County school officials seem to agree changing the cut scores is a good measure to better prepare children for college and beyond.
`I think the intent is good,` said Kelsey. `The justification is to raise the bar to have higher expectations for our students.`
Patrick McGrath, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Mohonasen Central School District, said setting the bar higher for students is a good idea.
`It shows a difference, and when you raise the bar like that it gives you a little different perspective,` said McGrath. `It is kind of like a numbers game figuring out what all of this means. We have to find the areas we want to get stronger but we do have areas that are effectively reaching kids.`
McGrath said the school district focuses on a student’s growth model to see if they’re improving their scores on regent exams and not just passing each one without improvement from year to year. Also, he said, the district is already working hard to improve math and reading skills.
`The ultimate goal is to give students and parents a better and more realistic understanding on how they are being prepared for college,` said Robert Hanlon, spokesman for Scotia-Glenville Central School District. `We [have been] saying these kids are prepared to meet standards, but then they have to take remedial courses in college.`
Hanlon said the teachers are `on the front lines` and know what students need help and assistance, so help is provided along the way. In the end, students having difficulties will be indentified before any regent scores are calculated.
New York State Education Department Commissioner David Steiner plans to ask the United States Department of Education to allow schools statewide to earn the previous cut scores on this years exams, which occurred before the cut score change was known. This will allow a better chance for schools to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress.“
