May 24, 2010
Monday

More Alaska students are scoring proficient on state tests in math and reading, according to preliminary results for the standards-based assessments given in April to students in grades 3-10. Fewer students are scoring proficient on the writing assessments.

In addition, more students are scoring proficient on science assessments, which are given in April to students only in grades 4, 8 and 10.

"Congratulations to Alaska's families and educators for the improvements we see this year," said Alaska Education Commissioner Larry LeDoux. "But we have a long way to go to achieve our goals. Improvement will take place on a continuum from early learning to graduating students prepared to be successful in postsecondary studies and careers. Success will be based on partnerships between parents, schools and communities."

Taking all the assessed grades together, the statewide reading score increased from 79.5 percent proficient or above in 2009 to 81.9 percent proficient or above in 2010.

The statewide writing score decreased from 75.9 percent proficient or above in 2009 to 74.1 percent proficient or above in 2010.

The statewide math score increased from 68.6 percent proficient or above in 2009 to 71.1 percent proficient or above in 2010.

The fourth-grade science score increased from 46.4 percent proficient or above in 2009 to 49.2 percent proficient or above in 2010. The eighth-grade science score increased from 54.9 percent proficient or above in 2009 to 56.1 percent proficient or above in 2010. The tenth-grade science score increased from 62.9 percent proficient or above in 2009 to 64 percent proficient or above in 2010.

Last week, school districts across the state received their students' scores from Alaska's assessment contractor, Data Recognition Corp. of Maple Grove, Minn.

The federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly called No Child Left Behind, requires states to assess students in reading and math in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school. Alaska chooses to assess in grades 3 through 10 and to assess writing, as well.

Alaska combines the reading and writing scores into one language arts score for the "adequate yearly progress" accountability system of No Child Left Behind, which compares student progress in schools and districts with targets for proficiency. The AYP accountability results for schools and districts will not be available until August.

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act also requires states to assess students in science in grades 4, 8 and 10. However, those assessments are not part of the federal accountability system.

District results for the state assessment scores will be available online on May 28.

On the Web:

District results for the state assessment scores (Available May 28, 2010)
http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/assessment/results.html

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Education & Early Childhood Development
www.eed.state.ak.us

 

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