What does this measure?

The percent of students of various racial and ethnic groups who scored at level 3 or above—meeting or exceeding the state standard—on the Grade 8 English exam. The test is scored by placing a student’s performance in one of four levels.

Why is this important?

The middle school English examination serves as a checkpoint for high school preparation. Performance on this exam is a predictor of high school success in English.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

Passing rates among black and Hispanic students were lower compared to white and Asian students in counties for which data were available in 2007. Less than a third of black students in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties passed in 2007, though two-thirds of those in Saratoga County passed. Performance among Hispanic students was only a bit better, while whites and Asians generally passed at rates exceeding 60%. However, performance among black and Hispanic students is up compared to 2002.

Notes about the data

The tests were revised for the 2006 administration as the federal No Child Left Behind requirement to test all children in 3rd through 8th grades took effect. Therefore, results prior to 2006 are not comparable to 2006 and later. Results for racial and ethnic groups could not be tallied for the region as a whole because the data were incomplete. Test results for small racial groups in some counties were not disclosed.