State Benchmarks and Annual Measurable Objectives for the
2005-06 through 2008-09 School Years

Commissioner Richard P. Mills has established the following State Benchmarks and Annual Measurable Objectives for English language arts, mathematics and graduation rates for the 2005-06 through 2008-09 school years. 

Criteria 2005-2006 School Year State Benchmark 2005-2006 School Year Annual Measurable Objective (AMO) 2005-2006 Farthest From State Standards Cut Points
Elementary and Middle ELA 150 Performance Index 122 Performance Index 90 Performance Index
Elementary and Middle Level Math 150 Performance Index 86 Performance Index 85 Performance Index
HS ELA 160 Performance Index 154 Performance Index 100 Performance Index
HS Math 160 Performance Index 146 Performance Index 100 Performance Index
Criteria 2006-2007 School Year State Benchmark 2006-2007 School Year Annual Measurable Objective (AM0) 2006-2007 Farthest From State Standards Cut Points
Elementary and Middle ELA 155 Performance Index 122 Performance Index 98 Performance Index
Elementary and Middle Level Math 155 Performance Index 86 Performance Index 85 Performance Index
HS ELA 165 Performance Index 159 Performance Index 108 Performance Index
HS Math 165 Performance Index 152 Performance Index 108 Performance Index
Criteria 2007-2008 School Year State Benchmark 2007-2008 School Year Annual Measurable Objective (AM0) 2007-2008 Farthest From State Standards Cut Points
Elementary and Middle ELA 160 Performance Index 133 Performance Index 106 Performance Index
Elementary and Middle Level Math 160 Performance Index 102 Performance Index 93 Performance Index
HS ELA 170 Performance Index 165 Performance Index 116 Performance Index
HS Math 170 Performance Index 159 Performance Index 116 Performance Index
Criteria 2008-2009 School Year State Benchmark 2008-2009 School Year Annual Measureable Objective (AMO) 2008-2009 Farthest From State Standards Cut Point
Elementary and Middle ELA 165 Performance Index 144 Performance Index TBA
Elementary and Middle Level Math 165 Performance Index 119 Performance Index TBA
HS ELA 175 Performance Index 171 Perfomance Index TBA
HS Math 175 Performance Index 166 Performance Index TBA

State Benchmarks are used to determine which schools must develop Local Assistance Plans, which schools and districts may be high performing, and the Performance Targets and Minimum Standards for Schools Under Registration Review (SURRs) that have not redesigned.

Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO) are used as part of the process for determining whether schools and districts have made Adequate Yearly Progress. Schools that fail to make Adequate Yearly Progress for two consecutive years on an accountability criterion as identified either as Schools in Need of Improvement or Schools Requiring Academic Progress

The Farthest from State Standards cut points are used to determine which schools are at risk of identification for Registration Review and to establish Performance Targets and Minimum Standards for SURRs that have redesigned.

For more information on NCLB accountability, please refer to the following web site: http://www.p12.nysed.gov/deputy/nclb/accountability.htm