by NYC Private Schools on September 3, 2009
NYC Student testing scores have been questioned by just about everyone at every juncture, which is expected considering there are so many factors that go into who is being tested on what in addition to why and how. We have discussed the current criticism on the sudden and drastic increase in recent NYC Testing Scores, and now another source is talking about the sudden increase in total school scores.
The NY Daily News listed interesting statistics about the “School Report Card” and how the increase in testing scores has led to some eyebrow-raising changes in total school standing grades.
The vast majority city elementary and middle schools took home A’s on their report cards released Wednesday.
Skyrocketing test scores – 889 schools, 84% of schools, scored an A this year – more than doubled the number from last year.
Only two schools received an F, down from 18 last year, and five schools scored a D.
No school that got D or F last year received the same grade this year.
All of last year’s F schools got A’s or B’s this year, including PS 8 in Brooklyn Heights, which scored a B.
The article includes some of the local criticism regarding how the School Grade scores may be influencing reportedly easier tests.
The high number of A’s is likely to face criticism this year because experts have said the state tests are getting easier to pass.
State Regents Chancellor Meryl Tisch has said the state will work to improve next years’ exams next year. City officials said yesterday they support the move.
“You can be assured we will raise the bar next year,” said Schools Chancellor Joel Klein.
“We will support higher standards throughout the state”
by NYC Private Schools on May 19, 2009
Most discussions on testing requirements for NYC Schools generally revolve around admissions testing and requirements. There are other tests that students are asked to participate in, however, and for many reasons.
The CTP 4 is one of the tests that can be required for children in grades 1 and up and is used by many classical Christian Schools and also Gifted Public Schools as a way to measure a students academic level of achievement and pinpoint areas in need of development. The CTP 4 is considered a difficult test that is given to high-achieving students at competitive school, often in the Gifted and Talented categories.
What does the CTP 4 Test Consist of?
CTP 4 is not one test, but a battery of tests consisting of a series of multiple-choice and open-ended question tests. These are administered to groups of students over the course of several days, either in the spring or the fall. CTP 4 has 10 levels; a different level is used with each grade from 1 through 11. Students in the early grades take the test under un-timed conditions and mark their answers in the test booklet. Students in the middle and upper grades take CTP 4 under timed conditions and mark their answers on a separate answer sheet. The time limits are considered generous, with most students completing it in the time period allowed. There is also an option for schools to include open-ended reading comprehension and mathematics questions in the test that provides for full, partial, or no credit.
What does the test measure?
All 10 levels of CTP 4 include achievement tests that measure what the student has learned in the areas of reading and mathematics. In addition, levels 1 and 2 test word analysis and listening skills. Beginning with level 3 (introduced in the spring of grade 3) there are also tests that measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, certain kinds of writing skills, and vocabulary.
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