State Education Department officials are warning the public not to put too much stock in fourth through eighth grade testing results released Thursday.

Statewide, 58.1% of students didn’t take the the English language arts test while 60.1% of students didn’t take the math tests. In an ordinary year, the percentage of students who participate in the tests is typically over 80%, leading state officials to caution the state residents not to make statewide comparisons of the data. Only district and school level results have been posted on the state Education Department website, a change from past years when county-level information has been posted.

“The pandemic exacerbated already existing inequities for students and this fact is most evident in our 2021 statewide assessment participation rates,” said Board of Regents Chancellor Lester W. Young Jr. “The Board and the Department are committed to addressing these disparities by helping schools implement policies and practices to foster diversity, equity and inclusion in the classroom. Together we must work to ensure that all New York State students have the support they need to be successful in school and in life.”

Last year, the state asked for a waiver to cancel the annual spring testing. The U.S. Department of Education did not grant the state Education Department’s assessment waiver request, so the state administered shorter state assessments to those students who attended school in-person. Students engaged in fully remote learning were not required to come to school to take the tests. This spring, the state will return to the normal two-session test format.

“While educators and school-based staff rose to meet unprecedented challenges last year, everything about education was different for educators, students and parents, including the state assessments,” said Betty Rosa, state education commissioner. “This year just 4 in 10 students took the tests so the data does not reflect the majority of students’ learning. State exams are just one of multiple measures of student learning used to help shape student individualized learning plans so they have the supports they need.”