Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York Report Student Test Scores Outpace those of New York State and City Public School Students
Archdiocesan schools also outperform New York State and New York City Schools in performance growth over the past three years
[MANHATTAN, September 14, 2017] – As the 2017-18 academic year gets underway, the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York are proud to report that its students are outpacing New York State and New York City public school students in terms of the percentage of students meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in both Mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA).
The news comes in the wake of the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) recently released 2017 New York State assessment test results for grades 3 – 8, showing 42.5% and 49.3% of Archdiocese students meet or exceed 2017 proficiency standards for Math and ELA, respectively. The comparative figures for students in New York State are 40.2% and 39.8%; and in New York City, 37.8% and 40.6% (see tables below).
“The promising increase in our students’ state test scores this year, coupled with the consistent growth we have seen in student performance over the past 3 years, are testaments to the combined dedication of our teachers, principals, students, pastors, parents, and staff, and a direct result of the continued infusion of innovative instructional strategies in our classrooms,” said Dr. Timothy McNiff, Superintendent of Schools in the Archdiocese of New York. “Across the archdiocese we are seeing firsthand the continued benefits of significant investment in technology and data analytics that help our teachers individualize instruction to meet students’ needs.”
Additionally, over the last three school years, the Archdiocese of New York has outperformed New York State and City schools when it comes to expanding proficiency, with performance of students who meet or exceed proficiency standards rising by 5.1% in Math and 15.3% in ELA from 2015 to 2017 (see tables below).
The Archdiocese’s success is not limited to primary education, as its high schools continue to enjoy outstanding graduation rates. Of its 24,000 high school students last school year, 99% of seniors graduated (outpacing the national average of 83%), and the overwhelming majority of those graduating seniors went on to college or post-secondary education.
“The remarkable upward trajectory of our students’ Math and ELA scores, in combination with the excellent graduation rates of our Catholic high schools, offer strong evidence for the unique quality and benefit that a Catholic school education provides. We are proud to instill not only an excellent education of the mind, but also of the heart, soul, and personal character, and we look forward to continuing to build upon these profound successes,” Dr. McNiff concluded.
ARCHDIOCESAN RESULTS
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Percent of students meeting or exceeding the Math proficiency standard in Archdiocese of New York | 37.4% | 38.7% | 42.5% |
| Percent of students meeting or exceeding the ELA proficiency standard in Archdiocese of New York | 34.0% | 44.1% | 49.3% |
NEW YORK STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Percent of students meeting or exceeding the Math proficiency standard in NY State public schools | 38.1% | 39.1% | 40.2% |
| Percent of students meeting or exceeding the ELA proficiency standard in NY State public schools | 31.3% | 37.9% | 39.8% |
NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | |
| Percent of students meeting or exceeding the Math proficiency standard in NY City public schools | 35.2% | 36.4% | 37.8% |
| Percent of students meeting or exceeding the ELA proficiency standard in NY City public schools | 30.4% | 38.0% | 40.6% |
*Beginning with the 2012-13 testing year, NYSED assessments in grades 3 – 8 measure the national Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS), which were implemented in New York State schools the beginning of that year.
*A summary of the test results, as well as individual school and district results, are available at: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/irs/pressRelease/20170822/home.html.
About the Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York:
Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York serve more than 71,000 students from Pre-K to 12th grade across 217 schools in nine regions throughout New York City and upstate New York. These regions are: Manhattan; Northwest/South Bronx; Northeast/East Bronx; Staten Island; Central Westchester; Northern Westchester/Putnam; Rockland; Ulster/Sullivan/Orange; and Dutchess. CSArchNY schools offer a unique combination of academic and spiritual development that empowers children of all backgrounds to gain the confidence to realize their fullest potential. To learn more about the Archdiocese of New York’s Catholic schools, visit www.catholicschoolsny.org or Facebook at www.facebook.com/CatholicSchoolsArchdioceseNewYork.