" Good morning this is -- Mike Bloomberg. Last week we saw that dazzling numbers the public schools students in grades three through eight put up on this year's statewide math tests for example just look at how well students in PS MS fifteen in the wrong -- seven years ago just 15% of eighth -- there scored at or higher than grade level -- this year 88%. Did. That's right. From 15%. -- 88%. Even people can agree on the time of day have to acknowledge that scores like that showed that our schools I'm moving in the right direction. Students across the city and in every grade made big progress map this year nearly 82% of them earned scores that demonstrate that they are working at or above their grade level in fact. On this year's test more students than ever. One and boarded the exact earned four is the highest score while fewer students than ever only about 3% received the ones the lowest score. More than 91% of third graders. Met or exceeded standards the -- the first time more than 90% of students in any grade accomplish that the results also violated three very important trends. First our students have substantially narrow the achievement gap in math with students statewide. Something that would have been inconceivable just a few years ago take the fourth grade for example in 2002. There was a gap of more than 24 points between the overall scores of our fourth -- most of what's -- the rest of the state today that gap has shrunk to just less than four points that's right 24 points down to less than four and the pace of progress is picking up. Our students in grades three through rate cut the gap with students statewide by half over the past three years. Second are black and Hispanic students are also continuing to close the racial achievement -- that's -- ashamed of our schools -- far too long -- greatest for example narrow the achievement -- with -- white classmates more this year than any year since 2002. And more than in the past six years combined. Black and Hispanic fourth graders have -- the achievement gap in -- in during these past that Iranians any such racial achievement -- is intolerable. But the good news is that our students are rapidly cutting it down and to those that say that task any easier -- the -- get -- from -- another I don't know whether that's true but one thing's for sure. All students black and white city and state kids all take the same tests on the comparisons of -- There's a period piece of very good news in the scores. The big gains made by our special education students and students for whom English is not their first language. Since 2006. The percentage of students with disabilities -- meeting standards and map has doubled it now stands at 55%. Nearly 70% of students were learning English now matter exceeded standards in math compared to only 40% who went there three years ago. That shows the additional resources we're putting into teaching these students and the heightened accountability that we demanding producing the title comes. We want. Let me tell you. It teaches the principles. Apparent coordinated the assistant principals still safety offices the custodians. Apparent from the students. Everybody is working together. Anyway you look at it. These -- test scores and results statewide reading tests that we learned about last month confirm that together our school reforms are working. Students are getting the educational prepare them for further success in school as adults. That's a tribute to Dennis walker deputy mayor for education to Joel Klein chancellor and his team at the Department of Education. And particularly to the hard work and dedication. Teachers principals parents and especially our students. They all deserve congratulations. For a great school year. Just imagine I'm much better we can make it even next here this is mayor Mike Bloomberg thanks analysts."