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VALHALLA, N.Y. In test results released Tuesday, the Valhalla Union Free School District saw slight improvements of English and math scores in most grades three through eight, yet dipped below the county average of standard proficiency in two elementary math grades.
According to the results from the New York State Department of Education, both fourth- and fifth-grade math in the Valhalla school district featured a lower percentage of students scoring in the standard proficiency level, or levels three and four, than the average in Westchester County. In fourth-grade math, 67 percent of students scored in the standard proficiency level, while 68 percent scored proficiently in fifth-grade. The county average for this year was 78 percent in fourth-grade and 74 percent in fifth-grade
The district saw its biggest improvement from last year in third-grade math, where 74 percent of students scored proficiently, up from 61 percent last year.
The lowest proficiency level percentage, 64 percent of students in seventh-grade English, was also an increase from last years score of 58 percent.
At the statewide level, students across grades three through eight saw an increase in proficiency from last year. Across the state, 55 percent of all students met or exceeded the English proficiency level, up from 53 percent last year. In math, 65 percent scored proficiently, up from 63 percent last year.
New York State Education Commissioner John B. King said the slight increases are a good sign, but may not be enough for the higher standards in core curriculum that will be set statewide in 2013.
These results are a small, positive sign of growth, but not enough of our students are climbing as steadily as they should be, King said in a released statement. Next school year, we start to implement reforms to make that ladder strong enough to support all our students as they climb toward college and career readiness."
A representative with the Valhalla Union Free School District was not immediately available to comment on the test scores Wednesday.
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