City students’ math and reading test scores inched up slightly this year compared to 2010, when the state imposed tougher testing standards. At a press conference today, Mayor Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott announced that, despite more difficult tests this year, the city’s 3rd through 8th graders saw an average increase of 3.3% in math scores and 1.5% in reading. New York City students scored below the state average but city test score increases outpaced the rest of the state. State officials were less enthusiastic when they released the test score data this morning, noting that “overall performance remains low.”

School principals received the scores last Thursday, but individual students' test scores won't be available to parents until Aug. 17. That's the date by which the DOE says scores will be posted in ARIS.

After he praised students, teachers and parents for the improved test scores, the mayor said that 4,808 students recommended for summer school did not have to go after all. Because of the late test dates -- which are administered in May now instead of January and March -- schools must estimate in June which of their students won't pass, based on preliminary scores. Last summer, the DOE underestimated the number of students in need of summer school and 8500 students found out in late July that they should have attended. This year the DOE overestimated, a spokesperson says.

Scores were released too late to curtail summer school for those students who retook the math test today and will take the reading test tomorrow.  Even if they don't pass this time around, they will promoted, according to the spokesperson.

For parents without internet access, or who need help logging into ARIS, the city will set up access stations in libraries in every borough beginning Aug. 22. "Parents who do not already have their login information can receive their usernames and passwords at these sites," according to an email Walcott sent to district offices.

The DOE released data broken down by school. An initial glance at reading test results showed the top-scoring schools are among the city's most selective. These include Anderson, Special Music School, and NEST+M, in Manhattan and the Scholar's Academy, and Baccalaureate School for Global Education in Queens.