New York City reading scores drop as experts call for testing audit

New York City has reported a significant decline in student reading proficiency, with English scores for grades 3 through 8 dropping by 6 percent. Preliminary results indicate that fewer than half of students in grades 3 to 5 are meeting grade-level standards.

The sudden reversal follows a period of reported gains, leading experts and advocacy groups to question the consistency of the testing process. Marianne Perie, co-chair of New York state’s technical advisory committee, noted that such large swings in scores are surprising and warrant investigation. The nonprofit EdTrust-New York has called for an independent audit of the state’s reading tests, suggesting that previous gains were not adequately explained.

Debate has emerged regarding the cause of the decline. Some educators suggest the transition to computer-based testing may be a factor, while others point to changes in the literacy curriculum. Mike Mulgrew, chief of the United Federation of Teachers, has attributed the results to how the Department of Education administers instructional plans and has called for the elimination of unnecessary paperwork and assessments. Meanwhile, critics have pointed to the performance of charter school networks, such as Success Academy, which reported high proficiency rates in English and math.