“We faired okay,” said Maureen Donahue, superintendent of the Southwestern Central School District, in regards to the districts 3-8 ELA test scores during a recent board meeting. “There’s definitely work to do.”

The majority of Southwestern’s 3-8 scores were above county and state averages.

Across the New York state 45.2 percent of all test takers in third through eighth grades scored at the proficient level while 44.5 percent of all math test takers in third through eighth grades scored at the proficient level. In Chautauqua County, all test takers averaged 38 percent rating for both ELA and mathematics testing.

While school districts were held under an embargo for a month after receiving the test scores, most of them have already made changes to instruction to reflect the results.

“We were able to do that before school, but we weren’t able to share it with anyone,” Donahue said.

State officials are informing school districts to not compare current scores with the previous year because of testing changes.

“To close the gaps in student achievement, we need information that identifies where those gaps exist,” said Mary Ellen Elia, state education commissioner, in an official upon releasing the state scores. “The state assessments help establish a foundation to identify the grades, schools, and groups of students that need more support. However, it’s important to remember that while test scores provide us with needed information, they’re only one measure of performance, and we must always look at the whole picture. Our state ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) plan does that by expanding the measures of student and school performance.”

Despite being told not to compare to last year’s scores, Emily Harvey, director of instruction in the Panama Central School District, said Panama was pleased with the results.

“I know there is some talk about how we can’t compare from last year’s scores, however, we’re still happy and moving forward and planning our instruction,” Harvey said.

Panama also scored higher than state and county averages excluding third grade ELA testing. Panama, like many other school districts, conduct their own internal assessment. In Panama, a program called Response To Intervention (RTI) assesses instruction formally and informally. Harvey said the state scores will be used in addition to their internal assessment.

“We’re breaking down areas of strengths and areas of need,” she said.

Additionally, Harvey said there were only three students who opted out of the state tests in the spring.

As for where Panama and other school districts rate among each other, it’s too early to tell, Harvey said.

“I’m waiting to see where we are,” she said. “We are really proud.”

Harvey noted that having the tests scores earlier in the summer and being able to discuss the results would have benefited the district. However, the district is still utilizing the results to influence its instruction where it’s necessary.

Ed Bailey, Clymer Central School District superintendent, said the delay in results was “disappointing,” but also said the scores are giving the district more data to assess its proficiency.

“As soon as we received (the scores) we started looking at ways to improve,” Bailey said.

Many grades in Clymer were above state and county averages, but Bailey said there were areas that need improvement.

“We’re always looking to improve our scores no matter what they are,” he said.