When it comes to meeting state Education Department academic goals, test scores in the Rocky Point School District have jumped up in some grade levels and subject areas.
That’s according to a report revealing English and math test scores for elementary and middle school students recently released by the state’s education department.
Superintendent Michael Ring was happy with the results and is looking to see continued improvements.
"We believe the hard work and dedication of our instructional professionals as well as the commitment of our students and their parents are reflected in those improved outcomes," Ring said.
He pointed to the district's Next STEP program as an impetus for continued improvement.
"We are aware that there remain significant opportunities for additional improvement in outcomes for all of our students," he said. "We, as a district and a community, through the efforts of all of our stakeholders and with a commitment to faithfully carrying out our Next STEP initiatives, will continue to realize positive results."
In Rocky Point, some notable gains were made in Grade 5 English and Math, Grade 6 English and Math, Grade 7 English and Math and Grade 8 English and Math. The district saw slight dips in Grade 3 English and Math and Grade 4 English and Math.
Here's how Rocky Point fared with regard to meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in English (ELA) and math exams.
Grade/Test 2010-2011 2011-2012 3-ELA 66.8% 61.8% 3-Math 66.0% 63.0% 4-ELA 64.5% 63.9% 4-Math 74.4% 71.2% 5-ELA 60.2% 66.9% 5-Math 67.8% 72.9% 6-ELA 60.3% 69.1% 6-Math 66.3% 74.8% 7-ELA 50.3% 54.3% 7-Math 71.5% 74.4% 8-ELA 47.2% 54.3% 8-Math 64.2% 64.8%Miller Place saw varied results, with improvements in some categories but decreases in others. Miller Place administration could not be reached for comment by time of print.
See the full state report for a school-by-school breakdown, and to see how Shoreham-Wading River, Mount Sinai and other neighboring districts performed. The analysis from 2011 is also available.
Newsday reports Long Island schools outperformed the rest of the state.
Incremental gains were seen statewide, according to the state education department. The latest report shows that students scored slightly higher this year in both the English and math exams, compared with last year, and that there was a small increase in the percentage of grades 3-8 students across the state who met or exceeded the proficiency standard on both exams.
However, state education officials seem to be setting sights on bigger gains.
Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl H. Tisch said in a statement that "too many of our students, especially students of color, English Language Learners and special education students, are currently not on a course for college and career readiness. That’s why we are continuing to press forward with critical reforms to ensure all of our kids are ready for college and careers. In the fall we will begin to phase in a new, more challenging, content rich curriculum and continue to press for the implementation of a rigorous teacher evaluation system in every district across the state."
In looking at students in grades 3–8 across the state, the education department is reporting that 55.1 percent of students met or exceeded the English proficiency standard, up from 52.8 in 2011. In addition, 64.8 percent met or exceeded the standard in math, up from 63.3 percent last year.
