Bellmore schools make the grade on state tests

New York state English Language Arts and mathematics exams have grown increasingly more difficult, but students in the Bellmore and North Bellmore school districts continued to exceed the Nassau County average on the tests in nearly every grade this year.

Sixth-graders in both districts surpassed county averages across the boards. In North Bellmore, 88.8 percent of students reached either Level 3 or 4 on the mathematics test, one of the highest percentages in the county. In Bellmore, 84.3 percent of sixth-graders surpassed the county average of 78.4 percent of students achieving Level 3 or 4.

“Our kids did well, but we always look at these assessments as a diagnostic tool,” North Bellmore Superintendent Arnold Goldstein said. “We want each child to do as best as possible.”

On the sixth-grade ELA test, students again performed well. In North Bellmore, 75.5 percent of students achieved Level 3 or 4; the county average was 71.1 percent. In Bellmore, 73.1 percent of students reached Level 3 or 4.

For those students who score at Level 1 or 2 on the state’s annual standardized tests, academic intervention services may be required. Students who achieve Level 3 or 4 are considered proficient by the state Education Department and do not require additional help. If a child is determined to be in need of further help, parents will be notified before the start of the school year.

Third-graders in both districts struggled with the math assessment. On average, 76 percent of third-graders achieved Level 3 or 4 across the county; however, in Bellmore, only 73.4 percent did so, and in North Bellmore, only 74.6 of students met state standards. In Bellmore, third-graders also had difficulty with ELA tests; 68.8 percent of students achieved Level 3 or 4, compared with 71 percent of third-graders across the county. Third-graders in North Bellmore did surpass the county average, with 73.2 percent meeting Level 3 or 4.

North Bellmore Assistant Superintendent Marilyn Johnson noted that the third-grade tests were longer than in previous years . “It was significantly longer, and that’s challenging for young children,” she said. “It’s hard to compare scores from year to year.”

The only other area where students seemed to encounter problems was on the fifth-grade math assessments. North Bellmore fifth-graders fell just short of the county average of 80.5 percent, with 80.2 percent of students achieving Level 3 or 4. In Bellmore, 88.9 percent of fifth-graders achieved state standards. Both districts surpassed county averages on the fifth-grade ELA test.

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