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Greenburgh School Test Scores Rise, Still Under State Average

GREENBURGH, N.Y. – At least one parent has called Greenburgh students’ test scores alarming, but district administrators insist there is no cause for concern.

While Greenburgh Central School District 7’s standardized testing scores were on the rise in 2010-11, and the district was marked in good standing by the state, test scores continue to come in under the state-wide average, both in math and English, statistics show.

“The bottom line is that our students are not meeting their potential I think in English and language arts or even meeting the standard learning level,” Amy Huang, president of the district’s Parent Teachers Association, told the board of education last week. “That’s a concern for me.”

In 2010-11 English and language arts testing, 50 percent of students in grades three through eight met state standards, according to a department of education report card.

While that number is up from 47 percent last year, it fails to meet the state average of 52 percent. At the seventh grade level, the district’s worst scoring grade, just 39 percent of students met or exceeded standards.

“I feel the kids could do much better,” Huang said.

District math scores paint a similar picture. In 2010-11, 61 percent of tested students met state standards. While that is an increase from last year’s 54 percent, it fails to meet the 63 percent average statewide.   

And SAT scores at Woodlands High School were more of the same.

While the school's average composite score improved 20 points in 2011, it sits at 1,385, below the nationwide average of 1,500. In Westchester County, 36 high schools yielded higher averages than Woodlands.

Interim Superintendent and High School Principal Ronald Ross said he refused to put too much weight into the scores, pointing to Woodlands High School alumni currently studying at universities like Yale, Cornell, Georgia Tech and Harvard.

“We are always trying to get better but I for one will never put our attention on a test,” Ross said. “Our children are more than a test.”

Assistant Superintendent Susan Sciascia agreed, adding that while the district continues to monitor childrens’ scores, it will not put all of its emphasis on state standards.

“We don’t want to pigeon-hole on test scores alone,” Sciascia said. “Test scores only reflect some of it.”

 

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