The New York Times | Reading experts on Monday described the latest results as promising but argued the overhaul must be refined.

Kim Sweet, the executive director of Advocates for Children of New York, a nonprofit that focuses on improving education for disadvantaged students, called the results “a hopeful signal that we are headed in the right direction.”

But she remained alarmed by the large rates of children testing at the lowest proficiency level, along with the huge disparities in outcomes. Only about one in four students with disabilities showed proficiency in reading.

Ms. Sweet said that New York must ensure that children who are behind — such as middle and high school students who never became proficient readers — receive support.

“We continue to hear from families who are unable to get their children the help they need,” she said.