Math Tests Look Good Second Year in a Row

Where third through eighth grades were concerned in Long Island, New York, it was the second straight year that students showed a marked improvement on their statewide math scores. The Long Island schools are the mirror image of the overall New York picture according to state officials in Albany. The improvements in the math scores were nothing short of dramatic, and it is very significant when they show an improvement in performance in the middle grades since that is when math scores (especially) tend to weaken and drop. But results nationwide were similar nonetheless.

This was the second year in a row that Long Island students showed an improvement in every one of the grades involved in the testing. Here are just two of the results of the testing comparing the current testing year with the prior one for third graders and seventh graders:

85.2% of third graders passed compared to 80.5% last year
66.4% of seventh graders passed compared to 55.6% last year

Interestingly enough, mandatory testing is not supported by all the Long Island residents, but the results are still encouraging regardless. Of the 50 states, New York has the second largest per student spending in the United States. Though not always indicative of the improvements in testing, all New York City school districts, including Long Island area schools are feeling the sting of the No Child Left Behind mandate to get all children in the country to a proficient grade ranking by 2014.

Steve Israel, New York state congressman is currently spearheading the funding for the Keeping Our Promise to America’s Children Act. Since the teacher to student ratios in Long Island’s education system are so low, support of the NCLB is very costly and more teachers are required for the class rooms. The federally required paperwork is very time-consuming and there are also requirements for highly qualified math and science teachers as well. Most Long Island educators support the issues but the funding is still a major challenge and success of the project is in constant question.

Long Island schools are considerably more successful due to the fact that New York State sees its student educational funding at well over $11,000 per student. But the dissension is continuous and there is not much hope of 100% support for this critical issue affecting all Long Island schools.