Something Fishy with NY State CC Algebra Regents Scores
New York State Common Core Algebra was administered six times from June 2014 to January 2016. The content was of mixed quality. The wordiness was evident, and was designed to trip up weaker readers. And the scale (86 raw points available) was incredibly tough on stronger students (deductions for petty errors had a magnified effect on higher scores).
And this exam, yesterday? Similar, though perhaps wordier. But the scale is new and different and no one told us in advance, and there’s something going on, and the state has given us plenty of reason to question their judgment and their decisions.
Here’s the number of “raw points” needed to reach 100, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, and 65 for the first seven exams. See which one is different?
| Exam | Jun-14 | Aug-14 | Jan-15 | Jun-15 | Aug-15 | Jan-16 | Jun-16 |
| 100 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 | 86 |
| 90 | 78 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 78 | 79 | 76 |
| 85 | 73 | 75 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 67 |
| 80 | 67 | 70 | 67 | 69 | 67 | 68 | 51 |
| 75 | 57 | 60 | 57 | 59 | 55 | 57 | 39 |
| 70 | 40 | 42 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 32 |
| 65 | 30 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 27 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The State did explain itself. They sent out a memo explaining there was no real change. See if you can read this: june16algonemaintenance.
I couldn’t. I wrote requesting clarification.
JD2718 
Why isn’t level 4 mathematically fixed? Do they use voodoo to assess that level?
Level 4 used to be fixed. Then they created a new Level, Level 5, and set 4 free. Read more here: https://jd2718.org/2015/07/10/cc-algebra-conclusion-why-fewer-strong-scores/
The State replied! They responded to my request for clarification of their memo – by referring me back to the same memo.
“The scale maintenance on the Regents Examination in Algebra I (Common Core) that was recommended by the Regents Exams Workgroup is described in the memo at http://www.p12.nysed.gov/assessment/hsgen/2016/june16algonemaintenance.pdf. Scale maintenance in this case refers to realigning the passing standard (i.e., score of 65) with the recommendations of the educator panel that convened in June 2014. Your district leader may compare this year’s scores to previous years for this exam.
Thank you for contacting the Office of State Assessment.”