Letter to the Department of Education Regarding Test Score Data

Joel I. Klein
Chancellor
New York City Department of Education
52 Chambers Street
New York, NY 10007


Dear Chancellor Klein,

I write to follow up on our August 18, 2010 meeting where we discussed the release of New York State’s recalibrated Math and English Language Art (ELA) exam scores. In this meeting, you reiterated that New York City public school students are still making progress on these exams despite the recalibrated test scores clear showing that an estimated 109,000 additional students are now below proficiency levels. During this meeting, I voiced my concern for how the Department of Education (“Department”) would ensure that these students will receive the extra support they need so they can remain competitive with their peers.

I expected that in the time that has passed since our August meeting that the Department would have released a plan for providing necessary remediation to the thousands of students who are no longer deemed proficient in math and reading. I am disappointed that the Department has yet to articulate a clear, comprehensive plan that will address the needs of these students and their families. As a public school parent and the City’s Public Advocate, I believe that parents and the public deserve this information, which is long overdue. Specifically, the Department should publicly detail its plans for all students who scored below the new proficiency level of 673.

I specifically request the following, which the Department should also make publicly available:
• How has the Department communicated the recalibrated ELA and Math scores to students and parents?
• How will the Department utilize the federal Supplemental Education Services (SES) program to ensure that all students, not only students at Title 1 schools, receive adequate support?
• Beyond the allocated funds for SES, what are the Department’s plans to address the educational needs of all students who scored at level 1 and level 2?
• How will the Department engage communities and parents to discuss its plan for these students and ensure they understand how they can help their children meet the new higher standards?
• Last year, the Department eliminated the unit for Academic Intervention Services:
o Why was this unit eliminated?
o How will the Department ensure that students continue to receive the critical services formerly provided by this unit? Specifically, which Deputy Chancellor’s portfolio is responsible for overseeing the delivery of these services? What role will the Children’s First Networks play in providing such services?
o How are the funds for AIS currently being utilized?
• If the Department does not have a comprehensive plan in place, how does the Department envision meeting the academic needs of these students this year and in future years?

I also specifically request that the Department publicly release the following specific data about the affected student populations, which will allow all stakeholders to better understand the scope of the issue:
• How many students scored below 650? Please disaggregate the number of students who make up this population by grade, ethnicity/race, neighborhood and special needs/ELL status.
• How many students scored between the 650-673 range on the Math and ELA exam?
Please disaggregate the students in this category by grade, ethnicity/race, neighborhood and special needs/ELL status.

I believe that the Department must make systemic policy changes that will do much more than encourage principals to serve the needs of these struggling students. It is critically important that as the State and City move towards more rigorous standards that the Department is ready to support students who are scoring at low levels of proficiency to ensure they are prepared for future success. I am committed to working collaboratively with the Department to find ways to accomplish this goal.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or my Policy Director, DeNora Getachew.

Thank you in advance for your timely response to this letter.

Sincerely,

Bill de Blasio