Reading scores sank in New York City last school year, with a nearly 14 percentage point decline among third graders, according to preliminary data released Aug. 7.<\/p>\n
Among students in grades 3-8, about half were proficient in reading, a decline of six percentage points. That nearly erases a seven percentage point spike<\/a> the year before. Math scores were flat, with 57 percent of students considered proficient.<\/p>\n The declines in reading proficiency were most pronounced in grades 3-5. In addition to the dramatic decline in third grade, fourth grade scores fell nearly six percentage points, and fifth grade scores fell by 13 points. (You can find your school\u2019s test results at the bottom of this story.)<\/p>\n The unusually steep drop in reading proficiency comes as the city is heading into its fourth year of a major shakeup in literacy instruction<\/a>. All elementary schools are required to use approved curriculums that officials contend line up with the science of reading, a longstanding body of evidence about how children learn to read. A growing number of middle schools are in the process of adopting new reading curriculums, too.<\/p>\n City officials vowed to conduct an analysis of the sharp fluctuations in reading scores.<\/p>\n \u201cSchool leaders across New York City are seeing dramatic swings in literacy proficiency reflected in this year\u2019s state assessment results,\u201d schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said in a statement. \u201cThese results raise important questions and deserve careful, rigorous analysis so we can ensure we\u2019re measuring what students are learning.\u201d<\/p>\n City officials noted that the state test scores diverged from the city\u2019s own periodic assessments, which generally showed improvements in reading.<\/p>\n The city\u2019s teachers union has supported the elementary reading curriculum changes, but criticized the Education Department\u2019s approach in response to the latest scores.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to refocus on what we know works in literacy \u2014 a clear plan, a tailored science of reading curriculum, and meaningful professional development for educators,\u201d Mary Vaccaro, the union\u2019s vice president for education, said in a statement.<\/p>\n She said the Education Department \u201cabandoned that approach\u201d last year and \u201cpiled on additional programs, assessments, consultant\u2019s recommendations and curriculum in the hopes that \u2018more\u2019 would equal better, and we lost ground.\u201d<\/p>\n Mayor Zohran Mamdani has vowed to double down on the literacy and math curriculum overhauls launched by his predecessor. In May, he announced plans to expand the math curriculum mandate into elementary schools<\/a>, a move the union also criticized.<\/p>\n Test scores alone can\u2019t prove whether a policy is working because many factors influence them. But city officials pointed to the dramatic 7 percentage point spike last year as evidence the new reading programs are paying dividends<\/a>.<\/p>\n