Mayor Michael Bloomberg was joined by Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott and School Academic Officer Shael Suransky in announcing that the city’s public school students have made progress in state tests for grades three through eight.Photo Dan Miller/DMD ImagesMayor Michael Bloomberg flanked by Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott and School Academic Officer Shael Suransky was elated as he announced that the city’s public school students have made progress in state tests for grades three through eight. Walcott displayed charts showing that math proficiency increased by 2.7 points since last year and English scores were up by three points.
“The greatest gains were made in our city’s charter schools,” said Bloomberg. The charter schools actually out performed schools across the state. Walcott was complimentary of the efforts by the city’s teachers and school supervisors and administrators.
More changes on state tests are expected next year.
We support the state’s commitment to raise standards for curriculum and graduation, and  to increase the rigor of next year’s tests,” said Walcott.
It was Suransky who noted that next year the state will begin to collect longitudinal data to help track student progress over a two year period.
The mayor ended the conference by complimenting the chancellor and Suransky for their leadership that resulted in these increases.