New York State’s grade 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math test scores have been systematically published, offering a new level of transparency into the state’s education system. The database, compiled by the Empire Center, includes data dating back to 2014 and covers nearly 712 school districts and 3,712 schools.
Improvement Across the Board, But Questions Remain
Preliminary analysis of the 2024-2025 data reveals an increase in proficiency rates compared to the previous year. 57 percent of students are now proficient in Math, up from 54 percent in 2023-24, and 53 percent are proficient in ELA, an increase from 46 percent. However, the Empire Center has raised concerns about the comparability of this year’s data to previous years.
“We would love to celebrate this increase in scores, however New York State Department of Education needs to dispel doubts on whether we are observing a genuine and long-overdue improvement or merely changes to the definition of what constitutes ‘proficiency’,” stated Zilvinas Silenas, President of the Empire Center for Public Policy.
The data shows significant gains across the state. 66 percent of school districts saw an increase in Math proficiency, and 89 percent saw an increase in ELA proficiency compared to the prior year. Ten schools achieved 100 percent proficiency in Math, and four schools reached that benchmark in ELA, with Icahn Charter School 1 and Special Music School both achieving perfect scores in both subjects.
Within New York City, District #2 (lower Manhattan) demonstrated the highest ELA proficiency at 78 percent, while District #20 (Brooklyn) led in Math with 73 percent proficiency. Conversely, Districts 12 (Bronx) and 24 (Queens) reported the lowest proficiency rates in ELA (37 percent) and Math (35 percent) respectively.
Outside of New York City, Quogue Union Free School District in Long Island reported the highest overall proficiency, with 94 percent of students proficient in both ELA and Math. Notably, Fire Island UFSD, the state’s most expensive school district with a per-pupil expenditure near $150,000, had proficiency rates of 48 percent in ELA and 57 percent in Math.
Other cities showed varying levels of performance. In Buffalo, 28 percent of students were proficient in ELA and 22 percent in Math. Yonkers saw rates of 47 and 46 percent respectively, while Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany reported lower proficiency levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What data is included in the Empire Center’s database?
The database includes grade 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Math test scores for nearly 712 school districts and 3,712 schools across New York State, with data available from 2014 to 2025.
What were the statewide proficiency rates in Math and ELA?
Preliminary analysis shows 57 percent of New York students were proficient in Math and 53 percent in English Language Arts (ELA) in the 2024-2025 school year.
What concerns has the Empire Center raised about the data?
The Empire Center has expressed uncertainty about the comparability of the 2024-2025 data to previous years, suggesting that changes to the definition of “proficiency” may impact the results.
As New York State continues to prioritize education, will the Department of Education address concerns about data consistency and provide a clearer picture of student progress?
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