Written by Carol P. Bartold

Sep. 24, 2014: Results for the 2014 New York State tests, designed to measure the effectiveness of the Common Core Learning Standards, show that 72 percent of Bronxville students performed at the highest levels in English language arts and 64 percent at the highest levels in mathematics.

Results for the tests are reported within four levels, with Level 1 reflecting the lowest scores and Level 4 representing the highest.

The 2014 mathematics test results show a significant improvement over performance in 2013, when 50 percent of students achieved scores at the highest levels. English language arts results in 2014 show a slight improvement over the 71 percent of students who achieved the highest levels in 2013.

Statewide in 2014, 31 percent of students achieved English language arts scores at the highest levels and 36 percent achieved highest-level scores in mathematics.

In 2014, 408 Bronxville students in grades 3 through 8 were tested in English language arts. One hundred eighty-four students achieved Level 3 scores and 111 students scored at Level 4. In 2013, 400 students were tested, with 191 scoring at Level 3 and 92 at Level 4.

Four hundred nineteen students across the same grades were tested in mathematics in 2014. One hundred seventy-seven scored at Level 3 and 93 at Level 4, compared with 145 scoring at Level 3 and 58 at Level 4 in 2013.

Superintendent Dr. David Quattrone noted that while he was concerned about the 2013 drop in test scores, he is pleased that this year's results show an "inching forward."

"We're focused on the general direction rather than achieving a specific number," he said. While he recognized that there is still work to be done in middle school mathematics, Quattrone emphasized that the tests are measuring something that is not yet implemented and that places a burden on the school.

To better interpret and understand the test results data within the larger picture of curriculum development and policy, the district, along with 31 other Westchester school districts, has forwarded its test results data to Education Analytics Inc., which will develop metrics from the data to analyze the rate of student learning along with teacher effectiveness. Quattrone anticipates a media release on October 3 that will address whether the New York State testing model is appropriate.

The administration and board of education continue to address issues of designing a curriculum and delivering an educational program that will incorporate the Common Core Learning Standards and help all students.

According to Quattrone, the test results are now a factor in the overall evaluation of teachers. He explained that 20 percent of teacher evaluations is based on state standards; 20 percent on local assessments, which include the New York State test results; and 60 percent on classroom observations.

Quattrone described state testing as the emblem of the Common Core Learning Standards. "The Bronxville administration and teachers feel the Common Core goals are noble," he said, "but the assessment and rollout have been deeply flawed."

Pictured here:  A third grader in the Bronxville Elementary School. 

Photo by N. Bower