Far fewer students across the state achieved proficiency on the 2010 standardized English and math tests than in past years, according to results released today by the State Education Department.  Under the tougher grading standardsput in place this year, only 53% of students statewide met or exceeded proficiency, scoring at a level 3 or 4, in English; 61% were proficient in math.  In 2009 the statewide proficiency percentages were more than 20 points higher:  77% in English and 86% in math.

The results were grimmer for New York City students. Only 42% met or exceeded proficiency in English this year, compared to 69 % in 2009.  Eighth graders performed the worst with only a 38% proficiency level.

In math, the numbers were better with 54% of the city's students achieving proficiency, still much lower than last year's  rate of 82%.

In a statement issued late today, Chancellor Klein put a positive spin on the results, while conceding that the city has a "long way to go."

“It will take an unprecedented effort from school officials, teachers, students, and parents; and it will take a more rigorous set of standards that require our students to do college-level work,” he said.

You can view statewide ELA and math test results by school and district here.  The new grading standards, broken down by performance level, for English and math are available on the city's  Department of Education's website. Check out citywide results here.

Early summer school release for 1807

Nearly 2000 students  assigned to summer school this year based on preliminary cut scores, performed better than expected on their tests and are no longer at risk of being held back.<!--more-->

"All students who were mandated for summer school but, we have learned, scored above a Level 1, will receive a letter informing them that they may discontinue summer instruction," said Department of Education spokesman Matthew Mittenthal in an email. He said that 1807 students fell into that category.

Crunching the numbers

Insideschools did its own number crunching and found that only five city schools had at least one grade achieving 100% proficiency in English:  PS 122, Anderson, Icahn Charter Bronx South (Icahn 2),  Nest+M, and Special Music School. Anderson, a K - 8 citywide gifted and talented school, produced the strongest results, with every grade but 8 performing at 100% proficiency (grade 8 hit 98%).  Check out our full ranking by school and grade here.

In math, 21 schools had at least one grade achieving 100% proficiency. View our ranking here.

When will you find out how your child scored? According to the DOE, parents will receive their children’s scores in the second week of August.