On Sept. 26, 2018, the New York State Education Department released district and school results for the English language arts (ELA) and mathematics assessments taken in spring 2018 by students in grades 3-8.

With the state’s testing format being reduced from three days to two days and a change in performance standards, the 2018 ELA and mathematics scores cannot be compared to previous year’s results. Performance standards are still based on a 1-4 scale. Scores at levels 3-4 indicate proficiency (4 means that a student excels in the standards), while levels 1-2 indicate a student is below proficiency.

The performance standards for the 2018 assessments were reviewed and revised by panels of certified state educators. The educators discussed the expectations for each performance standard (levels 1-4) and then reviewed this year’s assessment questions. Based on their research, new performance standards were developed to ensure they align with the required knowledge and skills for each grade level. The new standards were then applied to student exams to determine proficiency levels.

• For ELA, the statewide percentage of test-takers scoring at proficient levels (3 and 4) in 2018 is 45.2 percent.
• For math, the statewide percentage of test-takers scoring at proficient levels (3 and 4) in 2018 is 44.5 percent.
• In Stillwater, 56 percent of students in grades 3-8 scored at levels considered proficient — levels 3 or 4 — on the mathematics exams and 52 percent earned proficient scores on the English language arts exams.

“We’re proud to see that our students are performing above the statewide average when it comes to these assessments,” Superintendent Patricia Morris said.” We will continue to use these results, along with other data points, to help inform our instructional practices in Stillwater.”

This year’s assessments serve as a new baseline for comparing scores in 2019 and 2020. A new baseline will be established again, in the spring of 2021, when the state rolls out the new Next Generation Assessments.