District sees progress, need for significant improvement

in 2011-12 ELA and math results

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 17, 2012) -- City School District of Albany students showed progress in many areas on the 2012 state ELA and math exams, but this year’s results indicate that significant work remains to be done to raise achievement for all students, said Superintendent Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D.

District-wide, 36 percent of the district’s students in grades 3-8 achieved Level 3 or Level 4 in ELA, increasing from 34 percent in 2011. In math, 40 percent achieved Levels 3-4, up from 39 percent last year. The district’s modest gains in both areas mirrored the statewide trend.

“Two facts are clear in our district’s state test results again this year – we are making some progress and seeing evidence that our efforts are making a difference for our students, yet we also see that we have a long way to go,” Dr. Colucciello said.

“We will continue to move forward with initiatives we have in place to assure additional progress so that we can achieve our goal of college and career readiness for all of our students.”

The district’s efforts will continue to focus on three main areas:

• Curriculum – The district will continue its work to better align its curriculum to the state’s standards for grades 3-8.

• Data-driven student analysis – The district has placed an increased emphasis on using data for meaningful interim assessments that provide updates throughout the school year on where students need more support. This emphasis will continue as an important tool to help identify student needs early and address them before they become more significant roadblocks to a student’s chance of success in school and in life.

• Professional development – The district will continue to support teachers and administrators to help them develop the skills necessary to better engage all students in the classroom.

The district’s most notable gains were in fourth grade, where students posted marked gains in both ELA and math. Students also made notable progress in seventh-grade ELA, sixth-grade math and fifth-grade ELA.  

However, the district also saw declines in grade 3 ELA and grade 8 math. Additionally, the percentage of students achieving proficiency in grade 8 ELA also remained flat at just under 25 percent. Click here to download the district's full results in .pdf format. You also can visit the New York State Education Department website for additional information, including statewide results.

"As a school district and as a community, we need to continue to focus on raising achievement for all students,” Dr. Colucciello said. “Our Board of Education, staff, students, families and community partners are working hard to succeed in our mission and need to know that their combined efforts are moving us forward. We will continue those efforts in the year to come.”

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to successfully compete in the global community by providing an academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents, students and the community. The district serves about 8,600 students in 15 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.