East Greenbush Central School District students scored 59% proficient in English Language Arts and 61% proficient in math on the 2017 New York State Grades 3-8 Tests, according to state data released last week. Overall, the District scored significantly higher than the state average for both tests – 19.2 percentage points higher on ELA and 21.2 percentage points higher on math.
Parents will receive their children’s test results in the mail directly from the Northeastern Regional Information Center by September 15. The results have no impact on a student’s academic record.
“Our teachers and staff continue to attain steady increases in the number of students meeting challenging learning standards,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “We are proud of the overall achievement reflected in the recently released results. Equally worthy of celebration are the improvement gains we’ve seen each year in our schools since new standards were put into place.”
Since these Common Core-aligned tests were introduced five years ago, East Greenbush students have improved 15% in ELA and 11% in math. The tests are graded on a 1 to 4 scale (levels 3 and 4 are considered proficient).
Three years ago, East Greenbush started district-wide grade level meetings so teachers from different schools could collaborate and develop a more consistent curriculum. They have also engaged in ELA and math mapping and designed benchmark assessments to help influence instructional decision-making.
“These initiatives increase consistency from building to building in regards to the content taught, and as a result, ensure that all of our students’ instructional needs are being met,” said Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction James McHugh. “Our staff, students and families have worked extremely hard in order to demonstrate consistent improvement.”
In June, East Greenbush CSD ranked 6th out of 84 Capital Region school districts in the Albany Business Review’s annual Schools Report. Those rankings are based on a number of factors including student achievement on state tests.
State Test Proficiency Rates
| Year | District ELA | District Math | NYS ELA | NYS Math |
| 2017 | 59 | 61 | 39.8 | 40.2 |
| 2016 | 59 | 63 | 37.9 | 39.1 |
| 2015 | 48 | 60 | 31.3 | 38.1 |
| 2014 | 46 | 55 | 30.6 | 36.2 |
| 2013 | 44 | 50 | 31.1 | 31.1 |