Student Performance on Grade 8 Math, by Economic Status What
does this measure? The percent of students tested who scored at
level 3 or above—meeting or exceeding the state standard—on the
Grade 8 Math exam, broken down by students’ economic background.
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 can help predict high school success in
math. How are Cayuga and Seneca counties performing? In 2010,
45% of low–income eighth–graders passed the math exam, compared
to 65% of other eighth–graders in Cayuga. In Seneca, 41% of
low–income eighth–graders passed, compared to 63% of other
eighth–graders. The difference between passing rates for
low–income students and other students was not as large in
Cayuga and Seneca as it was at the state (excluding NYC), where
the passing rate for low–income students was 37%, compared to
70% for other eighth–graders. P