Math Results Build on Success
21.5% Increase Over Two Years

(June 1, 2009) Yonkers elementary and middle school students continue to make strong and steady progress on New York State mathematics assessments, according to information released today by New York State Education Commissioner Richard Mills. Youngsters in grades 3 through 8 achieved a solid 21.5% growth in proficiency since 2007.

Superintendent Pierorazio attributed the dramatic increases in math scores to "intensive professional development and direct supports for students, the commitment of teachers, increased instructional supervision by administrators, and cooperation of parents/guardians working with their children.”

Eighty-nine percent or 9 out of 10 of 3rd graders are proficient in mathematics.  Improvements in every grade, ranging from a low of +3.3% increase in grade 6 to a high of +14.0% in grade 7, with double-digit percentage increases for students achieving proficiency in grade 5 with +11.7%, grade 7 with +14.0% and grade 8 with +12.1%.

Eighty-five percent of the schools (28 of 33 schools) increased the percent of students at or above proficiency in 2009 compared to 2008.  (One school, the new Palisade Preparatory School has only 2009 scores.).  Of the twenty-eight schools that improved, more than one-third (10 schools) showed double-digit gains - Cedar Place achieved the highest +23.7 percent proficient gain.  All three middle schools improved - Yonkers Middle School had a double-digit increase of +10.6%.

Seventy-six percent of the schools (25 of 33 schools) increased the percent of students performing at Level 4 (Mastery) - Four schools had +10% increases School 9, School 17, Paideia 24 and Cedar Place School.  Twenty-one schools achieved a decrease in the percentage of students at Level 1 and an increase in the percentage of students at Level 4.

Seventy-nine percent of the schools (26 of 33 schools) decreased the percent of students performing at Level 1 (Below Proficient) - Museum School 25 had the greatest decrease -10.2%.

Yonkers Public Schools Mathematics Results
Grade             2007              2008             2009              Percentage of Growth
3                      74.3                82.2                88.5                +10.2
4                      63.1                76.7                80.1                +17.0
5                      55.1                67.7                79.4                +24.3
6                      49.5                63.2                66.5                +17.0
7                      41.2                59.3                73.3                +32.1
8                      32.1                42.1                53.9                +21.8
3-8                  52.3                65.1                73.7               + 21.5