MASSENA — Schools saw increases in performance on state math and science assessments in 2025-26, but a decline in English language arts, according to preliminary results released by the state Education Department this week.
Results for individual districts will not be available until later in the year because the preliminary results must still be reviewed by school districts before they're finalized by SED.
"Following the verification period where schools check the accuracy of their data, NYSED will update assessment reports based on the data certified by schools and districts. Our goal is to provide teachers, administrators, and parents with as much information as possible about their students' performance and make it available as quickly as possible to improve classroom instruction. The public release of all final state assessment data is anticipated for early November," SED officials said.
They said the annual assessments, which are required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), are designed to measure how well students are meeting New York state's learning standards. They said meaningful increases or decreases in performance provide important information about student achievement and identify areas that warrant further examination.
The preliminary statewide results showed steady increases in proficiency on the grades three through eight math assessment over the past three years, from 52% in 2023-24 to 55% in 2024-25 to 57% in 2025-26.
Grade three proficiency went from 54% in 2023-24 to 60% in both 2024-25 and 2025-26. Grade four proficiency increased from 58% to 59% to 62% last year, while grade five proficiency rose from 49% to 54% to 55%. Sixth-graders had 51% proficiency in 2023-24 and 2024-25, and that increased to 53% last year.
Grade seven proficiency was 57% in 2023-24 before dropping to 56% in 2024-25 and increasing to 60% last year. Eighth-graders had 41% proficiency in 2023-24 and 47% the following two years.
The preliminary results showed a decline in proficiency on the grades three through eight ELA assessment last year. Forty-six percent of all students were considered proficient in 2023-24. That increased to 53% in 2024-25, but dropped to 48% in 2025-26.
Grade three proficiency increased from 44% to 57% before dropping to 43% last year, while fourth grade proficiency was 47% in 2023-24, 54% in 2024-25, and 48% in 2025-26. Fifth grade proficiency was 44% in 2023-24, 57% in 2024-25, and 43% in 2025-26. Sixth grade proficiency was 44% in 2023-24, 51% in 2024-25, and 50% in 2025-26.
Grade seven proficiency held steady, from 50% in 2023-24 to 51% in both 2024-25 and 2025-26. Eighth-grade proficiency increased from 52% in both 2023-24 and 2024-25 to 53% in 2025-26
Grades five and eight also took a science assessment and saw that overall proficiency increase from 35% in 2023-24 to 44% in 2024-25 to 47% in 2025-26. Both grades saw increases, from 35% to 45% to 46% in grade five and from 34% to 44% to 49% in grade eight.
SED spokesperson JP O'Hare said the results help identify areas where targeted resources, instruction, and support may be needed.
"These preliminary results show a significant decline in statewide English language arts performance for some grade levels compared with the prior year. The department takes this decline seriously and will conduct a detailed analysis to better understand where students are experiencing challenges, which student groups and communities have been most affected, and where additional support and resources are needed," O'Hare said.
