State Education Department Releases Preliminary Data From AIMHighNY

The State Education Department today released preliminary data from AIMHighNY, the online, public survey of New York’s English Language Arts (ELA) and Math Common Core Learning Standards. The survey was available on the Department’s website from October 21 to November 30. More than 10,500 respondents provided feedback on one or more of the State’s current learning standards. In total, survey participants submitted 246,771 pieces of feedback. The average survey respondent gave feedback on 23 standards. More than 70 percent of the feedback was supportive of the standards; approximately 29 percent was in disagreement. In addition to the surveys completed online, New York State United Teachers submitted a composite response on behalf of teachers from four local teachers unions representing approximately 1700 teachers: (Middle Country CSD, Miller Place UFSD, Port Washington UFSD, and West Hempstead UFSD).

“The preliminary data from AIMHighNY show there is strong support for higher learning standards for New York’s students,” Commissioner MaryEllen Elia said. “However, the survey findings also indicate that adjustments are necessary, particularly in the early grades, to ensure our standards make sense for our students and schools.

“The survey was designed to solicit thoughtful, specific responses about individual learning standards. I know it took time to provide such thorough feedback. I want to thank everyone who participated. Their input will help us to identify which standards should be rewritten, moved, or scrapped all together.”

Survey participants provided more feedback on the ELA standards than on the math standards. Most feedback for both subjects was in the early grades (prekindergarten through grade four). Additional detail is available here: http://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/aimhighny-survey-slides.pdf .

Feedback from the survey will help inform changes made to the standards. In the coming weeks, the Department will share the survey results with its English Language Arts and Math Content Advisory Panels, which are made up of educators from across the State. This winter, the Department will announce additional opportunities for teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to be involved in the review process. As updates become available, they will be posted on the Department’s website at www.nysed.gov/AIMHighNY.