New York to raise standards, regrade English and math assessment tests

New York to raise standards, regrade English and math assessment tests
Published: Sunday, July 18, 2010, 6:10 AM
Elizabeth Doran / The Post-Standard


Thousands of students who scored well on New York state assessment tests in the past will find themselves with lower scores on the latest examinations because the state plans to score the tests tougher. State education officials said they need to score the state’s English and Math assessment tests given between third and eighth grades tougher because the results don’t reflect the real level of proficiency students are achieving.
“Fewer kids are going to hit that 3, which indicates proficiency,” said John B. King Jr., senior deputy education commissioner.

The main reason for the tougher grading is new research that shows many students who score as proficient on the exams don’t do well on the state Regents exams later, and aren’t adequately prepared for college-level courses. New York Deputy Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. talks about why the state wants to change its testing. About 1.2 million students took the exams in April and May. Students will receive a score of 1, 2, 3 or 4, with 3 or 4 considered proficient or better than proficient. Students who score a 2 or below are doing poorly and schools provide those students extra help. Some districts also use the scores to help place kids in courses; others do not, school officials said.


The “cut scores” or raw scores that determine whether a student receives a 1, 2 , 3 or 4 on the exams will be redefined so fewer kids will earn a 3 or 4, King said. The state education commissioner is expected to set the new cut scores Monday. The students’ scores will be released at the end of this month.

Students have been doing better on the exams in recent years, but the results seem to be inflated, officials said. “There was progress, but not enough,” King said. “They’re not where we need them to be. We know that’s a hard message for people to hear.”
Several Central New York school superintendents say they support changing the tests, and also adopting an absolute state standard, along with a statewide curriculum. But they say it’s unfair to change the scores after the exam has already been taken.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/07/new_york_to_raise_standards_re.html#incart_rh

>>>>Students have been doing better on the exams in recent years, but the results seem to be inflated, officials said. “There was progress, but not enough,” King said. “They’re not where we need them to be. We know that’s a hard message for people to hear.”>>>>>

No kidding.

Everyone in the state .... and his/her grandmother.... knew the scores were inflated.

Now that there is general agreement that a scam of sorts has been perpetrated over the last ten years, how 'bout some consequences for the educrats and/or pols who did the perpetrating?

I'll see if I can find the article I read the other day.