The middle school math examination serves as a checkpoint for high school preparation. Performance on this exam can help predict high school success in math.

In 2019, 49% of eighth-graders in our region passed (met or exceeded state standards) either the Grade 8 math exam or the Regents math test they took in its place, below the statewide rate of 52%. Livingston, Ontario and Wyoming counties all had the highest passing rate among the counties (60%). Wayne had the lowest passing rate at 38%. Monroe County's rate was 49%.

In the Rochester City school district, only 17% of students passed, the lowest pass rate in the region, but an increase of 6 percentage points from 2015. In comparison, Rochester charter school students had a pass rate of 55%. Of the cities in our region, Canandaigua had the highest pass rate (58%).

We note that a substantial number of students did not take state exams in 2019 due to parent concerns about testing in schools. In our region in 2019, 16% of 3rd-8th graders in the region opted not to take the Math exam. In 2019, Spencerport School District had the highest opt-out rate, at 38%, while the Rochester City School District had the lowest rate at 5%. 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.

Data for this indicator are not available prior to 2015. New data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.