White Plains CitizeNetReporter - White Plains Performance Meets Interim “No Child Left Behind” Pace

WPCNR SCHOOL DAYS REPORT CARD. From Timothy Connors, Superintendent of Schools. (Edited) October 23, 2002: A letter to parents of children in the White Plains School District from Timothy Connors, the Superintendent of Schools, reports that the New York State Education Department has informed the City School District that all of the White Plains schools met the federal achievement targets in 2001-02. The letter includes comparisons of White Plains test scores in Grade 4 and 8 English Language Arts and Mathematics scores to all the public school districts in the state, and scores for each child’s school compared to other district scores.

Connors’ communication includes graphics comparing White Plains results to the entire state. They show that in the Grade 4 State English Language Arts tests, White Plains students outperformed the average of other districts with 69% of White Plains 4th graders meeting the state standards (scoring in the Levels 3-4) compared to 62% meeting the standards statewide. A total of 24% of White Plains 4th graders exceeded state ELA test standards by placing in the highest level of performance (Level 4) compared to 21% of students statewide exceeding the ELA Standards.

In the Grade 4 State Mathematics Standards, White Plains 4th graders performed slightly above other state 4th graders, 69% meeting standards to 68% of the rest of New York, with 28% of those White Plains Fours exceeding the state standards, compared to 23% statewide who exceeded the standards (i.e., scoring in Level 4).

Less than Half of New York State Middle School students Statewide Meet the ELA Standards.

In the critical Middle School tests, a concern statewide, where the city school district is working hard to raise test scores, the White Plains Middle School mathematics scores were ahead of the ELA results. Yet, White Plains Eighth Graders are performing better than their peers statewide.

In Grade 8 Math tests, 56% of White Plains Eighters met state standards compared to 48% passing statewide. A total of 18% of those White Plains students meeting the math performance standards actually exceeded the state standards, scoring in Level Four, compared to 11% exceeding standards statewide. Population figures were not supplied.

On the Grade 8 English Language Arts tests, 52% of city Eighth Graders met the state standards (achieving level 3-4), compared to 44% of all New York Public School Eight Graders. Of those students exceeding state ELA standards scoring in the Level 4, 13% of White Plains students meeting the standards exceeded those standards compared to 10% statewide.

Twelve Years to Pass ‘Em All.

In Mr. Connors letter, he writes: “The new legislation (“No Child Left Behind”) also established yearly achievement targets for schools: schools have to implement new programs to ensure that, within the next 12 years, all students will pass the state exams. We are pleased to report that the New York State Education Department notified us that all of the White Plains schools met the federal achievement targets last year.”

Parents play part.

Connors took the opportunity to encourage parents to take a more active role: “Parents can play a critical role in their child’s learning. We urge you to continue to review your child’s work every evening, read to or with your child, discuss books that they are reading at home, and involve yourself in school acitivities.”

Connors invited parents to contact him at 422-2019, or the Office of Testing, Evaluation and Funded Programs at 422-2425 with any questions about the state tests, or the new “No Child Left Behind” law.


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