Test Scores Mixed in Bedford Central Schools

By FRANK NARDOZZI

Reacting to lower fourth- and eighth grade math scores on state standardized tests, Bruce Dennis, Bedford Central schools superintendent, said at a recent school board meeting, "This is not the direction we want to go."

Some concern was also expressed over the fact that Mount Kisco Elementary School's scores on both fourth-grade English and math tests were lagging behind the scores of the other four elementary schools in the district.

However, on the whole, Bedford Centrals test scores for both math and English were higher than the statewide average, and on a par with other similar school districts across the state.

Dr. Dennis cautioned against reading too much significance into the data, saying that "one snapshot is not as important as how the students benefit from the whole educational experience.

He also cited the large number of students in the district whose native language is not English, most of whom are concentrated in Mount Kisco, as being a unique problem the school district has to deal with.

The tests are given yearly to gauge fourth- and eighth-grade students' progress in meeting the higher state standards that have been instituted by the state Board of Regents.

The scores for 1999 and 2000 were presented and compared at the school board meeting on Nov. I by David Abbey, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Dr. Abbey said the district was "not pleased" with the math scores in fourth- and eighth grade math.

Fourth-grade math

The data showed that the percentage of fourth graders meeting or exceeding state standards in math had slipped from 90 percent in 1999 to 83 percent this year, a decline of seven percentage points.

In fourth-grade math, it was noted that the percentage of students exceeding state standards had dropped from 44 percent in 1999 to 31 percent this year, while the percentage of students just meeting state standards had increased from 46 percent to 52 percent.

The percentage of fourth graders needing extra help to meet state standards in math increased from seven percentage points to 15, while the percentage of fourth graders with "serious academic deficiencies" remained constant at three percent.

The most serious decline in fourth grade math scores was noted at West Patent Elementary School, where the percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards dropped 16 percentage points, from 98 percent in 1999 to 82 percent this year.

The second most serious decline was noted at Mount Kisco Elementary School, where the percentage of fourth graders meeting or exceeding math standards slipped from 78 to 67 percent. That was only two percentage points higher than the statewide percentage of 65.

At Bedford Hills Elementary School, the percentage of fourth graders meeting or exceeding math standards declined five points from 86 percent to 81 percent, while the scores of Bedford Village fourth graders' declined four points from 100 percent to 96 percent.

The only elementary school in which fourth graders improved their math scores was Pound Ridge. There the percentage of students meeting or exceeding state standards rose from 92 percent in 1999 to, 98 percent this year.

- Eighth-grade math

in eighth grade, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding math standards slipped from 65 percent to 61 percent districtwide. At the same time, the percentage of eighth graders needing extra help rose from 24 percent to 31 percent, with the remaining eight or nine percent having "serious academic deficiencies."

In spite of the declines noted, the Bedford Central's scores in both fourth and eighth-grade math compared favorably to statewide figures. This year, 83 percent of Bedford Central's fourth graders met or exceeded state standards in math, as compared to 65 percent statewide. And 61 percent of Bedford Centrals eighth graders met or exceeded state standards in math as compared to 40 percent statewide.

Fourth-grade English

Dr. Abbey noted an improvement in scores on the state tests for Bedford Central's fourth graders in English language arts. While 79 percent met or exceeded state standards in 1999, 83 percent met or exceeded standards this year. Within that group the percentage exceeding state standards rose from 12 percent to 31 percent, Dr. Abbey said.

The biggest jump in the percentage exceeding state standards in English occurred at Pound Ridge Elementary School with an increase of 34 points, from nine percent to 43 percent, and in Bedford Village Elementary School with an increase of 22 points, from 16 percent to 38 percent.

The other elementary schools' fourth grade English scores also increased: 16 points at West Patent, from 15 percent to 31 percent; 13 points at Bedford Hills, from nine percent to 22 percent; and nine points at Mount Kisco, from nine percent to 18 percent.

Overall, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding fourth-grade English standards increased 14 points in Bedford Hills, from 74 percent to 88 percent; nine points at West Patent, from 79 percent to 88 percent; four points in Mount Kisco, from 65 percent to 69 percent; one point in Pound Ridge, from 87 percent to 88 percent; and remained the same in Bedford Village, holding at 90 percent.

In the statewide comparison, 83 percent of Bedford Central's fourth graders either met or exceeded fourth-grade English standards, while only 59 percent of fourth graders did so statewide. While Mount Kisco Elementary School lagged behind all other schools in the district on the English language test, its score of 69 percent of students who were meeting or exceeding state standards was still 10 percentage points higher than the statewide score of 59 percent.

Eighth-grade English

In eighth-grade English language arts, the percentage of Bedford Central's eighth graders meeting or exceeding state standards dropped slightly from 71 percent in 1999 to 69 percent this year. This compared to 67 percent of eighth graders in similar schools in 1999 and 68 percent this year.

The percentage of eighth graders statewide meeting or exceeding state standards was 48 percent in 1999 and 45 percent this year.

The percentage of students in the Bedford Central passing Regents exams last year was 93 percent in English; 67 percent in math 2R; 87 percent in math 3R; 94 percent in global studies; 83 percent in U.S. history; 87 percent in earth science; 90 percent in biology; 95 percent in chemistry; 87 percent in physics; 98 percent in Spanish; 100 percent in Latin; and 100 percent in French.

The percentage of Fox Lane High School graduates earning Regents diplomas has increased from 59 percent in 1998 and 1999 to 65 percent last year. Of those, 79 percent of Fox Lane High School graduates go on to four year colleges, with another 12 percent going to two year colleges. Another eight percent go into the military, while one percent start work right after graduation.