The news:
- Test scores fell amid new standards. (GothamSchools, Times, WSJ, SchoolBook, NY1, Daily News, Post)
- Scores were even lower in upstate cities. (Buffalo News, Rochester Dem & Chronicle, Times Union)
- Facing political pressure, Mayor Bloomberg spun the scores positively. (GothamSchools, SchoolBook)
- Other reactions ranged from shock to suggestions to withering criticism. (GothamSchools)
- Educators say they are disappointed by the scores but will use them as a starting point. (SchoolBook)
- Charter schools and district schools both struggled under the new standards. (Daily News)
And views:
- The New York Times says the new scores should be seen as a starting point for change, not criticism.
- The Daily News says mayoral candidates’ policy ideas to address the scores are “pitiful” and too weak.
- Chancellor Walcott: The scores are about what students need, not about what adults think. (Daily News)
- Diane Ravitch: The new scores punish students for what grown-ups have done wrong. (Daily News)
- Former state education chief David Steiner says the elementary school grades are only a first step. (Post)
- Arthur Goldstein: I couldn’t and shouldn’t give a test that most of my students would fail. (Daily News)
- A city teacher says she tried to teach to the Common Core and her students struggled. (Daily News)
- UFT chief Michael Mulgrew: The low scores show that teachers needed more support. (Daily News)
- Parent leader Zakiyah Ansari: The scores show that schools need a new direction. (Daily News)