Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Black & Hispanic Students Fall Behind In Second Year Of Common Core Testing
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Sep 2, 2014
Modified Sep 2, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
via Flickr user Matt Carman
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published Sep 2, 2014
Modified Sep 2, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Thursday is the first day of school for New York City students and marks the beginning of the third year of common core testing, the controversial curriculum shift that aims to standardize classroom topics nationwide. New York City's school system, the largest in the nation, began testing students on the new curriculum two years ago with mixed results that cut, unfortunately, along racial lines. White and asian students scored considerably higher than black and Hispanic students, with under-resourced schools that have a large minority population not faring as well as better-funded charter schools that are able to hand-select their students.
A Daily News article cites a charter school group report that "90 city schools failed to pass a single black or Hispanic student" on the statewide tests. While that sub-headline does a good job illustrating the achievement disparity that the city faces, it isn't exactly true. Many of the schools mentioned in the report had black and Hispanic students score a 2 or 3 on the tests (out of 4), proving at least partial proficiency. While it's not news that a paper would pick up on a press release and report it as fact, it demonstrates how divisive the common core testing has become, especially as it begins to be trumpeted by charter schools as proof of their superiority.
“It’s time for bold and transformational change,” Families for Excellent Schools CEO Jeremiah Kittredge told the Daily News. “We need to acknowledge that this is not the fault of children — it’s the fault of our system.”
But Mayor de Blasio and schools chancellor Farina, for their part, are continuing to attempt to address what has become a multi-tiered school system that privileges some students, but leaves many low-performing minority students behind.
“Students, parents, principals and teachers across this city are working hard to reach the tough new standards set for them," the mayor said in a statement when the test scores were released. "Every parent knows their child’s education is about more than any one test. What these latest results show us is that we’re making progress and we have a lot of work ahead of us. That’s why we are making foundational changes to lift up students in every school, from more after-school academic enrichment for middle schoolers, to more professional development for our teachers, to helping kids enter school at grade level through Pre-K for All."
According to a Department of Education official, chancellor Farina is looking to focus on the low-performing schools by developing individual strategies that would meet the unique needs of each of the struggling schools and the communities they serve. In giving these schools individual attention, she hopes to raise both test scores and graduation rates.
"Our work, and our progress, is only the beginning," Farina said. "The Department has redoubled its efforts, and with this much stronger focus on professional development and instructional practice, student outcomes will continue to improve, leading to greater college and career readiness as we move forward."
This coming school year's test scores will be released next August.
Tagged
charter schools
common core
de Blasio
Fariña
nyc public schools
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
High-ranking NYC officials to testify in ex-buildings boss Eric Ulrich's corruption trial
Manhattan prosecutors say Ulrich’s predecessor at the buildings department will testify in the trial against him.
By
David Brand
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 3:47 p.m. ET
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Mamdani launches new team to help NYers keep SNAP, Medicaid benefits
Nearly 1 million in the city risk losing benefits as a result of new federal restrictions.
By
Caroline Lewis
Riders at 53rd St. station where man was fatally shot say they worry about gun violence
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
By
Karen Yi
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
By
James Ramsay
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .