The 2010-2011 standardized test scores forstate schools have been released and show growth in studentperformance throughout the Brookhaven School District.

    “We had some significant growth in the lower grades,” saidSuperintendent Dr. Lisa Karmacharya.

    The district placed 22nd in the state with regard to third-gradelanguage arts scores, with 63 percent of students testing atproficient and advanced. That was a 10 percent increase over lastyear for the third grade.

    The eighth grade also saw a large increase of 10 points, and mostother grades saw small increases in their language arts scores overlast year.

    The fifth grade did experience a decrease, from 67 percent scoringproficient and advanced to 58 percent testing at that level. Theseventh grade saw a small drop of two points.

    “There is a lot to celebrate,” Karmacharya said. “With any districtyou see pockets of concern, and everyone needs to be a part of theconversation to address those pockets. Data always tells you astory. Our job it to find out what that story is.”

    The testing data was released earlier this year than in the past,which Karmacharya said is a distinct positive. She will be workingwith school administrators to identify what they need to do acrossthe upcoming school year in response to the testing data.

    In subject areas, students in multiple grades took tests in algebraI, U.S. history and English II.

    Karmacharya stated that the Brookhaven district’s scores in U.S.history and English II beat the state averages in percent ofstudents passing: The district saw 94.5 percent of students passthe history exam and 76.7 percent pass the English test.

    The 2010-2011 English passing numbers were 10 points higher thanlast year’s passing rate.

    Test results show sometimes significant disparities betweeneconomically advantaged and disadvantaged students. 

    In seventh grade, 77 percent of disadvantaged students scored basicor above in language arts, compared to 92 percent ofnon-disadvantaged students. A nine-point difference exists in theeight grade scores and a 10-point difference in the thirdgrade.

    Karmacharya said the school district has a poverty rate amongstudents of 60 percent or more, which makes the disparity in scoressomething to notice and address.

    With the overall picture, though, Karmacharya is pleased by theprogress she sees and is determined to see that continue. She saidthat since she only came to the district in March, she cannot takeany credit for positive results.

    “I only continued what was in place when I came here,” shesaid.

    Even as she moves into her first full year with the district,Karmacharya emphasized the role of those closest to the studentsrather than administrators.

    “Research supports that teachers make a difference,” Karmacharyasaid. “The credit goes to the teachers in the classroom and theparents.”