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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – The percentage of students considered proficient in math and English language arts for grades three to eight was significantly lower throughout New York State and Tarrytown schools, the state Department of Education announced Wednesday.

The Tarrytown Union Free School District's third- to eighth-grade students who met or exceeded proficiency in ELA and math scored a combined average of 35.25 percent.

Statewide average results showed that 31.1 percent of students in grade three to eight met or exceeded the ELA proficiency standard, and 31 percent met or exceeded the math proficiency standard.

According to the state’s assessment tests, given to students in third- to eighth-grade, 41 percent of Westchester students were at grade level in ELA and 40 percent of county students were at grade level in math.

The state results for Tarrytown and Westchester schools showed the following percentages:

Grade Three – 36.7 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 37.1 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 40.6 percent for ELA and 41.2 percent for math.

Grade Four – 33.2 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 34.8 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41.6 percent for ELA and 46.1 percent for math.

Grade Five – 39.2 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 37.5 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41 percent for ELA and 39.4 percent for math.

Grade Six – 25.8 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 31 percent math. The Westchester County average was 46.6 percent for ELA and 40.6 percent for math.

Grade Seven – 45.2 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 27.8 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 41.1 percent for ELA and 37.3 percent for math.

Grade Eight – 39.4 percent of students met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in ELA, and 35.3 percent met or exceeded proficiency for their grade in math. The Westchester County average was 44.2 percent for ELA and 37 percent for math.

The statewide lower results do not reflect a decrease in performance for schools or students, but rather a raising of standards to reflect college and career readiness, according to state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr.

"I understand these scores are sobering for parents, teachers, and principals. It's frustrating to see our children struggle,” King said in a news release accompanying the test scores. “But we can't allow ourselves to be paralyzed by frustration; we must be energized by this opportunity. The results we've announced today are not a critique of past efforts; they're a new starting point on a roadmap to future success.”

The state said it does not intend to identify any new “Focus Districts” or “Priority schools” based on the 2012-13 assessment results.

See the complete report at the state Education Department website here.

Correction: The original version of this story said in the headline that Tarrytown schools' results were lower than the state average, however, that has been corrected.