For the most part, Potsdam Central's test results were slightly higher than the statewide averages. However, PCS was notably higher than the NYS average in 7th & 8th ELA and notably lower in grade 3 Math.
NYS avg. for ELA vs. (PCS) NYS avg. for MATH vs. (PCS)
Grades:
3rd.............31%.................35%...................34%.........................19%
4th.............30%.................36%...................36%.........................40%
5th.............30%.................35%...................30%.........................38%
6th.............30%.................26%...................31%.........................30%
7th.............31%.................50%...................28%.........................26%
8th.............34%.................50%...................27%.........................37%
(Decimal points are not included.)
The last hundred pages (529-629) of NYS school district test results contain names of school-after-school with test results at the 10% - 0% passing level. When Gov. Cuomo mentions the "death penalty" for failing schools, one could reasonably surmise that he is referring to the school districts that fall into this very low passing rate category. However, there are so many districts in this category that it is hard to imagine a NYS takeover of all of these schools. For the sake of students in such low performing schools and for the sake of the future of NYS, something needs to be done with schools that are at or near the bottom in performance on the NYS assessments. Are the low performance results on these tests all related to low socio-economic conditions in communities? Are these schools being poorly run? Are good teachers working there? Or, is it a combination of all these factors?
The PCSD is in line with the NYS average for these tests. Thus, administrators and teachers need not fret about the results. How did Potsdam's results compare with high performing schools across the state?
Manhasset (Suffolk) Chappaqua (Westchester) Fayetteville-Manlius
ELA range: 61%-73% 66%-75% 49%-73%
Math range: 57%-77% 64%-82% 58%-78%
Of note, PS 122 Mamie Fay in Queens, NYC scored at the top of the list. In grades 6-8 in both ELA and Math, their scores ranged from 93% - 100% passing. I noted that grades 3-5 did not do as well as grades 6-8 and guessed, correctly, that after grade 5, students in the area have to compete to be accepted to PS 122 for grades 6-8. That explains the high results. However, how did the 3-5 students (who attend the school because they live in the district) do in this inner city public school in Astoria, NYC?
ELA Math vs. Potsdam ELA Math
3rd 57% 56% 3rd 35% 19%
4th 51% 59% 4th 36% 40%
5th 47% 46% 5th 35% 38%
PS 122 exceeded Potsdam's scores on all the tests. At PS 122, 57% of their third graders met NYS ELA standards while only 35% of Potsdam's third graders met proficiency. Their 3rd graders scored 56% in Math proficiency while Potsdam's 3rd achieved a 19% proficiency score.
Why this caught my attention is because at PS 122, 64% of students are eligible for free and reduced lunch. At Potsdam the percentage is about 35%. (The NYS average is 43%.) This school (for grades 3-5) achieved test results that are impressively above the NYS averages despite their socio-economic status (based on free and reduced lunch numbers). School district officials often point to their poverty level to explain low scores or performance. What's PS 122 (in grades 3-5) doing to achieve such impressive results? School leaders should be interested in the answer to that question.
Obviously, teachers at the PCSD should always stive for improvement. However, they should not be worrying about student performance on the recent round of NYS tests. The district falls solidly in the middle (slightly above, actually) when compared to all NYS school results - despite a few outliers. For now, the new curricula are being implemented and students will be even better prepared for next year's tests. And, let's not forget, these tests are only one measure of one type of success. There is much a great teacher does for students that is never reflected in tests.
Post Script:
About the tests (from PS 122 school website)
Beginning
in the 2012-2013 school year, the New York State Department of Instruction
implemented new assessments designed to be aligned with the Common Core State
Standards. The new standards for proficiency in these subjects are higher than
in previous years and the percent of students earning a proficient score is
expected to be lower as a result of this change. See this letter from New York's Commissioner of
Education for more information on these changes.
In 2012-2013 New York used the New York State Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and math. The tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New York. The goal is for 90% of students to meet or exceed grade-level standards on the tests.
In 2012-2013 New York used the New York State Assessments to test students in grades 3 through 8 in English language arts and math. The tests are standards-based, which means they measure how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of New York. The goal is for 90% of students to meet or exceed grade-level standards on the tests.
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