Yonkers Public Schools made substantial academic growth in grades three to eight English language arts and mathematics on the New York State Education Department assessments released Aug. 22.
“Throughout our schools we see increasing evidence that sustainable solutions are taking hold and making a difference for our students,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Quezada. “Progress is accomplished through relentless differentiated instruction in every classroom, in every school, every day by our school administrators, teachers and support staff; thank you for your commitment.
“Since 2016, this is our instructional priority and the results have produced improvements in every student subgroup in both ELA and math. This work requires years of quality leadership development, data-driven instruction, targeted professional development, as well as continuous student academic, social and emotional supports. To accomplish this requires stable revenue and support from all stakeholders for Yonkers Public Schools.”
Two years ago, YPS embraced computer-based testing districtwide for the state assessments – the only large school district in the state to take on the challenge. Around 12,000 Yonkers students in grades three to eight were tested using computer-based testing in both ELA and math. For more than five years, the district has successfully used online testing for a variety of assessments and will continue to champion NYSED’s initiative for statewide computer-based testing.
“The hard work of our students with the support of their families is producing consistent improved student achievement,” said Board of Education President the Rev. Steve Lopez. “Our students’ steady progress is a testament to Dr. Quezada’s leadership, the work and commitment of his administrators in central office and in schools, and, of course, our teachers and support staff interacting with our students every day. It is clear that the board’s policy initiatives to move our schools toward 21st century learning are producing results. The Board of Education’s efforts are focused on long-term sustainability; that’s the legacy the trustees and I want to leave.”
Mayor Mike Spano added: “I congratulate the leadership, staff and students of Yonkers Public Schools for more than doubling the statewide average improvement in test scores. Despite a state funding formula that continues to shortchange our students, our schools again demonstrate their ability to provide a quality education that improves with each year.”
Yonkers student testing on the state assessments continues to produce significant improvement districtwide for students at or above proficiency (levels three and four). ELA increased by 5 percentage points, and mathematics increased by 5.2 percentage points.
Yonkers outperformed the statewide gains of 0.2 percentage points in ELA and 2.2 percentage points in math, as well as all of the “big five” large city school districts whose gains aligned more closely to the state’s results.
Every subgroup showed improvements on both assessments: Black students’ proficiency rate rose 5.2 percentage points in ELA and 5.2 in math, Hispanic students’ proficiency rate rose 4.8 percentage points in ELA and 5.1 in math, multi-lingual learner students’ proficiency rate rose 1.7 percentage points in ELA and 0.5 in math, and students with disabilities’ proficiency rate rose 3.4 percentage points in ELA and 4.1 in math.
Districtwide grade level growth shows significant increases: ELA grade three is up 7.4 percentage points, grade four is up 9.4 points and grade eight is up 6.4 percentage points from last year; math grades five and six are each up 5.5 percentage points, grade seven is up 6.9 percentage points and grade eight is up 5.6 points.
