Dear Commons Community,

New York City schoolkids are keeping pace with their state counterparts on annual reading and math tests, according to a new report released yesterday by the New York City Independent Budget Office.

The study analyzed reading and math scores from the 2015 tests for every public and charter school in the state and found the gap between city and state results had narrowed.  Researchers said 31.2% of city students scored proficient in the English Language Arts exam compared with 32.5% of students in the rest of the state. On the math test, 37.1% of city students scored proficient while the number was 40.5% for students in the rest of the state.

“This is dramatically different than the relative standing of the city and state in 2006, when the city lagged the state by 11 points in English and 9 points in math,” the report said.

The NYC Education Department said the city has expanded professional development for its teachers. “New York State has the highest standards in the nation and students in New York City are rising to the challenge,” said department spokeswoman Devora Kaye.

Congratulations to Chancellor Carmen Farina, the administrators, teachers, and students in our NYC public schools for this step in the right direction.

Tony