More than 34,000 students in grades 3 to 8 scored so low on the 2011 standardized math and reading tests this spring that they will need to attend summer school July 5, the Department of Education reports.  The number assigned to summer school has more than tripled since 2009, largely because the state raised its standards in 2010. Students cannot be promoted if they score Level 1 (out of 4) on the exams. They may attend summer school, retake the exams in August and be promoted if they score Level 2.

Although the test results won't be available until late July, the DOE is basing its recommendations on preliminary data.  Officials say results are delayed because the state tests are now given in May, rather than in January and March as in previous years.

Last year the DOE grossly underestimated the number of students needing to attend summer school: in June they recommended  22,802 students go to summer school, but once the actual results came out in late July, it turned out that 31,000 should have attended. And, they found that another 1,800 children had actually passed the exams and should not have been sent to summer classes.    This year, after consulting with the state, the DOE is "predicting that the cutoff between a score of 1 and 2 will fall at roughly the same place it did last year," a spokesperson said.

The DOE estimates that 16,298 did not meet criteria on the reading (ELA); 10,058 missed the passing mark in math, and 7,713 failed to pass either exam. Update: The 34,069 total recommended for summer school represents 9% of the 3rd-8th graders who took the tests. <!--more-->

At 3 p.m. today, principals received the list of names of students who are slated for summer school. They have until close of business on Wednesday to appeal a recommendation if they believe a student should be promoted without attending summer school. They must provide a portfolio of the student's work to the district superintendent who makes the final promotion decision.

Last summer, roughly halfof the students got passing marks on the August exams with 11,321 of the 22,802 summer school attendees promoted to the next grade.

Actual results for all May test-takers in grades 3-8 will not be available to parents until mid-August when they will be posted on the ARIS Parent Link. No word yet on how many high school students may be facing summer school: Regents exam weekbegins on Wednesday and the results of those tests help determine whether a student passes a course or must retake it in summer school.

An information sheet for parents about the testing timeline and summer school is posted on the DOE's website.