Early development of mathematics concepts provides the basis for mastery of problem solving and computation skills.

Passing rates were higher for Asian and white students in the region (64% and 58%, respectively) than for Hispanic and African American students (28% and 25%, respectively) in 2018. For all racial/ethnic groups, rates were higher at the state level than in the region. Students in each racial/ethnic group in Monroe County matched the performance of the region, except white students who outperformed the region by 6 percentage points. The low number of African American, Hispanic, and Asian third-graders in many of the region's counties prevents any meaningful comparison of results across ethnic groups within these counties. The Rochester City district had passing rates of 15% for Hispanic students, 16% for African American students, and 33% for white students, among the lowest in the region.

We note that a substantial number of students did not take state exams in 2018 due to parent concerns about testing in schools. In our region in 2018, 19% of 3rd-8th graders in the region opted not to take the Math exam. In 2018, Greece Central School District had the highest opt-out rate, at 38%, while the Rochester City School District had the lowest rate at 6%. The large percentage of students not taking the exam may have a significant effect on overall achievement levels and should therefore give caution to interpreting these results.

Changes in the state's testing program over the last decade impact the comparability of test results year to year. In 2013, the state shifted to Common Core Standards and Common Core-based tests, making prior years' results non-comparable. The Common Core was adopted in most states to better prepare students for success beyond high school by emphasizing problem solving, understanding and synthesis, comprehension of nonfiction text, and other higher-order thinking skills. Due to the state's new two-session test design and performance standards, the 2018 grades 3-8 results cannot be compared with prior-year results, though results from 2013 to 2017 are provided for context.

Subgroup data is not published for small groups (fewer than six students) in order to protect the confidentiality of students.

Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the third quarter.