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 Math exam. The test is scored by placing a student’s performance in one of four levels.

Why is this important?

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

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

Passing rates were lower for black and Hispanic students than white students in 2007. Roughly one-quarter of black students passed, except for Saratoga County, where 62% passed. Hispanic students performed slightly better, with 30-40% pass rates (except for a low of 14% in Schoharie County). Passing rates for white students ranged from 56% in Rensselaer County to 77% in Albany County.

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.