Scores Soar on New York State
English Language Arts And Mathematics Assessments

(June 23, 2008) Following the release of grades three through eight English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics (math) state assessments by New York State Commissioner of Education Richard Mills Monday, Superintendent of Schools, Bernard P. Pierorazio, praised Yonkers’ students and staff for the significant increases in the percent of students attaining proficiency. With ELA scores up 9% and math scores up 12.8%, Superintendent Pierorazio noted that, “once again Yonkers’ students are high performers among the big cities.”

Districtwide goals for improving student performance were initiated this year. According to Superintendent Pierorazio, on both assessments, overall our schools met or exceeded the goal to increase by 10% the number of students scoring in the highest proficiency, mastery Level 4, and decrease by 20% the number of students scoring in the lowest proficiency Level 1. In ELA, twenty schools showed an increase in Mastery Level 4 students and a decrease in percent of students below proficiency. In math, twenty-five schools showed an increase in Mastery Level 4 and a decrease in the percentage of students below proficiency.

Superintendent Pierorazio attributed, “the dramatic increases in our Math (+12.8%) and ELA (+9%) scores are testament to the commitment of teachers, increased instructional supervision by our administrators, and cooperation of parents/guardians working with their children.”

Through intensive staff development for professional staff, coupled with extra help sessions for our students before and after school, Saturdays, holidays, and during the summer months, Yonkers Public Schools students were able to achieve impressive results.

Structural change has initiated major increases in test scores in our Prekindergarten through grade 8 schools, which is empirical proof that our decision to move in that direction in many of our buildings was a positive one.