Student Performance in English Language Arts (ELA) - Public Schools

Data Provider: NYS Education Department

Related Indicators:

Student ELA Performance - Gr. 3 - All students [view data]
Student ELA Performance - Gr. 4 - All students [view data]

Life Area:

Education

Definition:

Student skills are assessed in English Language Arts (ELA) in grades 3 through 4. The number reported is the number of students scoring at or above proficiency (level 3 or higher). The percent reported is the number of students meeting proficiency divided by the number of student tested, multiplied by 100.

This information is available by student race/ethnicity; for students who are English Language Learners and students with disabilities.

Significance:

Assessments are offered in ELA at the elementary and middle-school levels. ELA tests are used to determine accountability for schools and districts. The assessments are based on state learning standards. Raw scores for these assessments are converted to four performance levels:

Level 1: Not Meeting Learning Standards. Student performance does not demonstrate an understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
Level 2: Partially Meeting Learning Standards. Student performance demonstrates a partial understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
Level 3: Meeting Learning Standards. Student performance demonstrates an understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.
Level 4: Meeting Learning Standards with Distinction. Student performance demonstrates a thorough understanding of the content expected in the subject and grade level.

Students are considered to be proficient if they are achieving at a level 3 or 4.

The tests are intended to help improve teaching in classrooms and focus instruction on the needs of each student.

Note:

In 2010, the State Board of Regents goal was revised is to make college-readiness the State's Proficiency standard. As a result of raising the bar for what it means to be proficient, fewer students met or exceeded the new English proficiency standards in 2014/15 than prior to the 2010 changes.

The 2016 ELA exams were different than those in past years: (1) the exams had fewer questions for every grade and (2) students who were working productively were allowed to complete their exams in an effort to reduce test-day stress for students.

Findings:

Approximately five in ten (50.5%) of third grade students met or exceeded proficiency levels with 53.0% from New York City and 48.5% from the Rest of State meeting the proficiency standard. A somewhat lower portion of grade 4 students (47.4%) met the level of proficiency, with 51.4% of New York City students and 44.2% of Rest of State students proficient.