Bellmore Superintendent Addresses State Testing

The following letter is from Dr. Joseph Famularo:

This past April, all students in grades 3-8 across New York State were required to take newly developed state assessments in English Language Arts and mathematics. These assessments were based upon the new Common Core Learning Standards, which were first introduced into the District’s curriculum in September 2012. With the recent release of the results, media reports have highlighted the significant decline in student passing rates experienced throughout the State.  

Recently, Commissioner of Education Dr. John B. King Jr. released a statement noting the increased expectations and drop in student performance. In his letter (posted on our website), Dr. King wrote that the “change in scores – which will effectively create a new baseline measurement of student learning – is largely the result of the shift to assessments that measure the Common Core Learning Standards.” He also stated, “I want to make it very clear that the change in test scores….does not mean that students are learning less or that teachers and schools are performing worse than last year. Proficiency rates – the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standards – on the new Common Core assessments cannot be compared with last year’s proficiency results since the old scores are from an old test based on the former standards. This is a new beginning and starting point…”

The results of this year’s assessments are based on a new test, with a new curriculum and a new scoring standard which were all introduced for the first time last school year. They are a starting point on a roadmap for the future success for all of our students. As with all other test data we will carefully analyze it when we receive it (expected to receive it in the beginning of September). Our administrators and teachers will use it appropriately to provide quality teaching and learning in all our classrooms. We take great pride in the well-rounded curriculum that we provide to all students in our school district. Enjoy the rest of your summer and we are all looking forward to welcoming the students in September.