NYC Math Scores Up, Reading Scores Down: Is New Curriculum to Blame?

NYC Math Scores Up, Reading Scores Down: Is New Curriculum to Blame?

New York City public schools saw a rise in math scores last year, but English scores dipped, according to state test results released Wednesday. This comes as Chancellor David Banks is focused on raising literacy rates, and has implemented a new curriculum across all elementary schools.

While city officials acknowledge the curriculum overhaul might be affecting scores, they emphasize that this is a transitional period and that other factors, like increased absenteeism and fluctuating funding, could be playing a role.

Concerns About the New Curriculum

Experts caution that it's too early to definitively say whether the new curriculum is responsible for the dip in English scores. An analysis by Chalkbeat found that districts using the new curriculum saw a greater drop in proficiency rates compared to those not yet using it.

What's Next?

Chancellor Banks remains optimistic and points to other assessments that show improvement in reading scores. However, experts remain skeptical, stating that more time is needed to truly evaluate the impact of the new curriculum.

Disparities in Scores Persist

The test results also highlight persistent achievement gaps between different student groups. Asian American and white students continue to outperform Black and Latino students in both math and English, with students with disabilities performing significantly lower.

The city is also transitioning to computer-based testing, which could be affecting scores, but the impact is still being analyzed. While the test results offer insights into student performance, they are ultimately just one piece of the puzzle in understanding the complex challenges facing NYC schools.

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