A Spike in Failures
The end of 2018 brought to a close the first five years of Common Core standards in New York high schools. After an initial drop in Regents exam pass rates, we thought we were out of the woods. Beginning in 2014-15, Common Core’s second year, scores improved and remained stable. Now, however, we’re seeing an unexpected increase in failure rates among high-school students. For the 2017-18 school year, Regents failure rates increased from 25% to 30% on the Algebra 1 test and from 16% to 21% on the ELA Exam.
Uncertainty & Speculation
NYS Math and ELA Common Core Standards are meant “to prepare all students for success in college, career, and life by the time they graduate from high school.” This spike, however, signals that more students are struggling than before. Theories abound as to the reason. Some blame an increase of English Language Learners who tend to score below average, while others look to the age of students at the time of Common Core implementation. Another possibility is the elimination of the option for seniors to take an earlier version of the algebra exam. What’s clear is that a growing number of students need more educational support than they’re getting. If your son or daughter is among those having trouble mastering the material, explanations for trends are of little use to you. Parents of children currently in school can’t wait for a system-wide solution.
The Need for Enrichment & Tutoring
These alarming failure rates highlight the importance of affordable supplemental education in NYC. Education policy consultant David Rubel recommends extra support and tutoring for low-achieving students who receive a score of 1 on their 8th-grade state assessments. We don’t think enrichment for only the least-college-prepared students goes far enough. Though we’re very much here to help parents whose children are struggling to survive high school by graduating, we’re also interested in helping those students – and others all along the performance spectrum – to thrive in high school. Capping off four years of struggle with successful matriculation is undoubtedly a victory. But what if it could be replaced with a hunger for knowledge and a love of learning that transforms the entire high-school experience? That’s what the year-round math & English tutoring and the STE(A)M enrichment programs at FasTracKids are designed to do.
An Opportunity for Action
If you’re a New York City parent determined to give your child every opportunity to succeed, in grade school, high school, and beyond, there’s no better step you can take than exploring our offerings at FasTracKids. The value of tutoring in reading and writing as a year-round exercise cannot be understated, and we make learning engaging and fun for kids at every age. Give your child the edge he or she needs to go from surviving to thriving. Schedule a free assessment today.