Politics on the Hudson

The percentage of students who achieved proficiency on math and English assessments dropped about 25 points in each subject, and about 30 points for black and Hispanic students, because the state Education Department adjusted the scoring system after analyses found the tests had become too easy and predictable.

In math, 86 percent of children in grades 3 to 8 were considered proficient or better last year, compared with 61 percent this year. Fifty-three percent of students reached that level in English, down from 77 percent in 2009.

The changes were even more dramatic for black and Hispanic students, children with disabilities, students in high-poverty districts and those whose first language is not English.
—For black students, 34.4 percent are considered proficient or higher in English on a 4-point scale this year. Last year, 64.3 percent were proficient or better. In math, the level of proficiency or better went from 75 percent in 2009 to 40.9 percent this year.
—For Hispanics, 36.8 percent had reached proficiency or higher compared with 64.8 percent in 2009. In math, 47.3 percent were at the standard or higher, a drop from 79.5 percent last year.
—For students whose first language is not English, 14.3 percent met the standard this year, down from 36.4 percent last year. In math, 30.7 percent met or exceeded the proficiency standard, down from 67.1 percent last year.
—For children with disabilities, 15.2 percent achieved proficiency or better this year, compared with 39.3 percent in 2009. In math, 24.6 percent were at the standard or higher this year compared with 58.4 percent in 2009.