Comparison of NY with National Exams

From http://documents.nytimes.com/state-and-federal-mathematics-tests#p=7
"Results of federal math tests released Wednesday showed little or no progress by the country's fourth and eighth graders since 2007, the last time the tests were given. New York State's students fared much worse than they did on the state's own standardized tests: while 87 percent of the state's fourth graders and 80 percent of eighth graders were considered proficient on state tests, only 40 percent of fourth graders and 34 percent of eighth graders met that standard on federal tests."

Click on the title to see the 4th and 8th grade 2009 NY Math tests plus a link to NAEP sample questions.

What Do the Scores Mean?

Are students more proficient? Is the test the same difficulty level?
Read this NYT article about the score needed to pass the NY state test:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/14/education/14scores.html?_r=1

Adding Test Prep to Teacher Training and Prof Dev

Because New York State tests are public information and are easily downloadable, there is a teaching and learning opportunity for students, parents, teachers and the public at large.


Using these old exams as an educational supplement, people can raise metacognition (thinking about thinking) and gain content exposure. This will ensure that students are familiar with the material and format of standardized exams.

Click here for NYS Elementary and Intermediate exams for all subjects
Grades 3 - 8 http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/eleminttests.html

Click here for high school content http://www.jmap.org/

Overall NYS web site: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/

Testing is an Opportunity

Testing has often been viewed as a threat rather than an opportunity. Multiple choice can be excellent for developing reasoning skills as knowing why what’s right is right is as important as knowing what’s wrong is wrong. Many common Math mistakes and misconceptions can be diagnosed through the use of multiple choice since they are intentionally designed with “good wrong answers”. By studying old or sample exams, much learning can be achieved along with focus and attention to detail that is so important on tests and in life.