ELA results were less impressive, Goldberg said. Passing rates ranged from 31 percent for the seventh-grade to 56 percent in third and fourth-grade. Four out of the six grades bested the county average, but scores for four out of the five cohort groups dipped from last year.

Goldberg said that information from the tests will be used to guide the district’s instructional planning going forward. It shows where additional teacher training might be needed. She added that the state tests are only one measure of the district’s progress.

“I think the district has a balanced perspective regarding the test scores, as they provide us with information that we can use to evaluate our programs,” she said. “However, we do not label our student with numbers, and we are cognizant of the fact that these assessment are but one of the many formative and summative assessments administered throughout the year.”

Goldberg said it is important to have a rich and challenging curriculum, which was the purpose of Common Core, which is entering its third year as the standard in New York. She noted the implementation is still a work in progress, and Wantagh is doing its part with the adoption of a new reading series this year.

Levittown

Scores in the Levittown School District were fairly consistent with Nassau County averages. Some were a little above, and some were a little below.

Passing rates on the math assessment ranged from 27 percent in eight grade to 59 percent in third grade. The third-grade class also had the top mark on the ELA exams, with 51 percent passing.

Superintendent Dr. Tonie McDonald said that the scores are difficult to analyze because of the significant number of “opt-outs” last year.

“We are interested in improving education in Levittown,” she said, “so we will use all measures, including New York State test scores to inform our instruction.”