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| NYSUT cheers elementary math scores; says middle schools still need help September 22, 2005 ALBANY, N.Y. September 22, 2005 — The 525,000-member New York State United Teachers today cheered the "tremendous gains that students and public schools are making in elementary math," but the union's first vice president said middle-level scores are still cause for concern. NYSUT First Vice President Maria Neira said the fourth-grade math test results released today suggest that, at the elementary level, public schools are edging closer to the day when all students can meet higher academic standards. "The drive to higher standards is working. Nearly 85 percent of New York's fourth-graders are demonstrating proficiency in math," Neira said. "That's a growth of more than 8 percent over last year. While some students — and some public schools — continue to struggle and need additional support, the overall picture is very bright. Public schools are doing it right." Neira praised New York City teachers, and teachers in other Big 5 districts, for lifting student test scores nearly 20 points since 1999. "The skill and dedication of teachers in the Big 5, and in New York City in particular, really show in these results. Good teaching is at the heart of these gains, especially the steady movement of minority students toward closing the achievement gap and the dramatic drop in students scoring at the lowest level in our big city schools." Neira said that, despite the slight dip this year, middle-level math scores are up overall since 1999. "We've made progress, but we still need to focus more attention and more resources on middle-level achievement," Neira said. NYSUT, the largest union in New York state, represents more than 525,000 classroom teachers and other school employees; academic and professional faculty at the state's community colleges, State University of New York and City University of New York; and other education and health professionals. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO. |
CONTACT: NYSUT Media Relations and Communications. (518) 213-6000, Ext. 6313. E-Mail: mediarel@nysutmail.org. |
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