NYC school math scores rose, but some students struggle with reading: data

NEW YORK (PIX11) – New York City schools released their results from the first year of using new instruction methods in math and reading.

Math proficiency scores increased by 3.5% to 53.4% in grades 3-8. Reading scores slipped by 2.6% to 49.1%.

The slip in reading is a pattern seen in other districts where new literacy strategies were rolled out. Both Tennessee and Mississippi saw initial declines in ELA scores before seeing significant long-term improvements.

New York City Public Schools sought out the new curriculum, which educators said is more closely aligned with brain learning science and that this is merely a "transitional period."

About 70% of Asian-American students and nearly 66% of white students scored proficient or above on English exams compared with nearly 39% of Black students and about 36% of Latino children, the data showed. In math, almost 80% of Asian-American children and just over 72% of white children were proficient, compared with about 38% of Black students and nearly 40% of Latino ones.

Children with disabilities fared far worse, with their proficiency scores in the 20% range for both reading and math, according to the data.

"Significant change does not happen overnight, and the slight decline in ELA test scores represents a transitional period as our school system adjusts to a new method of instruction," said Schools Chancellor David C. Banks.