NYS Test Scores Fall Flat For Minorities

ALBANY, NY - The New York State Education Department today released the results of the math and English Language Arts (ELA) exams taken by all New York students in grades 3-8 in May of this year.

While there was good news for New York City, which saw both math and English scores rise from last year, the data for minority students was not so encouraging.

Only 35 percent of black students across grades 3-8 met the English proficiency standard, compared to 64.2 percent for white students.

That 30-point gap was also present in math, where only 44 percent met or exceeded the standard in math.

The numbers weren’t much better for Latino students–37.3 percent for English, 50.2 percent on math.

Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York and Board Chair of Alliance for Quality Education said, "The statewide test scores released today, by the State Education Department, show that New York State is failing to prepare many of our students for college or careers. The racial achievement gap and the continued deferment of CFE are especially alarming. Next month, many public school students, from Buffalo to Long Island, will find their schools closed, their teachers gone, or successful programs such as after school, tutoring and advanced placement courses eliminated. These impacts are a direct result of the decision to give a multi-billion tax dollar cut to the richest New Yorkers. The Governor and the Legislature can help our students succeed by renewing the tax before it expires on December 31, 2011, and restoring school funding to improve education for our 2.7 million schoolchildren."