N.Y. Regrades Standardized Math Test That Most High-Schoolers Had Failed

AP ^ | 8/30/03 | Michael Gormley

[Jean S]

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State officials have regraded a standardized math test that most New York high-schoolers failed this year, transforming failing marks into passing ones for thousands of students.

Rather than rescoring all the math Regents exams, the state Department of Education released tables Friday to regrade the tests to more closely match the 2002 test results. For example, a ninth- or 10th-grader who received a 47 percent or 48 percent score in June now has a passing grade of 65.

The recalculations mean the number of students passing rose from 28 percent to 55 percent for 12th-graders, from 28 percent to 60 percent for 11th-graders, from 28 percent to 64 percent for 10th-graders and from 61 percent to 80 percent for ninth-graders. The calculations are based on the scores from 400 of the state's 700 school districts.

An independent panel appointed by the state Board of Regents calculated the table based on the results of the June 2002 test results. "It essentially corrects for the anomalies of the June 2003 exam," state Education Commissioner Richard Mills said.

The panel was created because of high failure rates that prompted the state to throw out the test, which is usually required for graduation. Thousands of students in June faced the possibility of being held back from graduation days before the ceremony.

After education officials received hundreds of calls and e-mails from angry parents and teachers, Mills gave school districts the option of discarding the scores and substituting coursework results for upperclassmen who needed a passing grade to graduate.

Juniors and seniors who took the test now will have the option of using the new, higher test score or their course grade.

AP-ES-08-30-03 2022EDT

[null and void]

Words just totally fail me.

[xm177e2]

If we keep passing kids on even when they haven't learned.... aren't the consequences obvious?

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

No wonder companies are going overseas to fill jobs.

Indians work for less, but the bottom line is that they are EDUCATED and SPEAK ENGLISH!!

[OneTime]

.... aren't the consequences obvious?

Maybe along the lines of dumbed down voters?

Keeping people ignorant benefits people in power.

(especially democrats)

[TaMoDee]

New York employers should obtain the test and then give the test to new applicants for employment. Hire those that pass under the old standards. End of problem.

[Diogenesis]

"The failing children are thousands of potential Democrat loyal voters for me.
Use the stolen FBI files on the teachers now.
Tell them "2 + 2 equals exactly whatever the children want. Five. Nine. I dont care.
Use the stolen files now -- as before."

[Jeff Chandler]

>>New York employers should obtain the test and then give the test to new applicants for employment. Hire those that pass under the old standards.<<

And be accused of racism?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

They need more money.

So this means that 45% got below 47 on an already dumbed down state test.

It would be interesting to ask students on the test what pol party they most identified with!

[mafree]

My niece passed the exam with a 72 score. Regrading it is an insult to her and others who passed.

[martian_22]

I've seen this all my life. If someone(s) can't meet a standard they lower the bar so everyone feels good. They call it "being fair".

The long term results are disasterous. IMHO

[JimVT]

Nothing new here.

Try to get the records for the number of high school grade students who made the honor roll this year vs 1993 vs 1983 vs 1973 compared to the total student population as far back as you can.

Find out what the grades were for achieving honor roll status then and now.

Get copies of the sample tests for those years.

None of the above will be possible unless you're willing to sue your school district for the information but it might be worth the effort.

Last time I hired a kid I asked if he had any questions BEFORE we began the interview.

"How long do I have to work before I get a vacation"?

Next!

[neutrino]

Just think...in about 4 years, some of these remarkable scholars will be teachers.

[neutrino]

Just think...in about 4 years, some of these remarkable scholars will be teachers.

[cyborg]

What racism? That was not even mentioned in the article.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[cyborg]

When I got my first job at fifteen, all I could think about was making as much MONEY as possible so I could buy science fiction books and magazines. Vacation never even entered my mind till I got laid off and got a $200 check in the mail :D

[cake_crumb]

Ah, New York. HillaryLand. Home of creative learning, unpopularly implimented a few years ago. For example, if a kid said the answer to 2+2 is 365, he could get points for the creativity of his answer, even though his answer was incorrect, mathamatically speaking.

It takes a villiage, you know.

[yankeedame]

New York employers should obtain the test and then give the test to new applicants for employment. Hire those that pass under the old standards. End of problem.

Naw. Just ask them to multiply 12x13 in their head. Now.
That'll seperate the chaff from the wheat in no time.