Maryland students have been taking the new PARCC tests for the last two school years, though the tests have not been a graduation requirement. The English and math tests are given to students in third through eighth grades, as well as 11th grade.
Advertisement
It’s always been known that African American and Hispanic students trail their white counterparts in academic achievement in D.C. And that’s still the case, according to this year’s PARCC results: While 74 percent of white students in DCPS and charters are college- and career-ready on English tests, it drops to 25 percent for Hispanics and 19 percent for African Americans. The test, which is aligned with the Common Core standards, is supposed to test how prepared students are for college and careers. A high score on the AP, or advanced placement, exam can lead to college credit. While gains made across the board mirror a pattern on the county and state level, students in the National, San Ysidro and South Bay Union school districts are struggling to do as well as their county and state peers.
Chula Vista’s students also scored high in the math assessment, with 49 percent meeting or exceeding standard compared to the county’s 44 percent and the state’s 37 percent.
A description of the student’s English skill is described in each category including focus, organization, text evidence, conventions, craft and structure, and key ideas and details.
“We’ve had very successful growth at certain schools and grade levels that show all students can succeed including Coachella Valley Unified Students, and we’ll be getting together to identify best practices moving forward”, Angle said.
“The only way we’re going to see continued improvement on standardized tests like the Smarter Balanced is if all students can read at grade level, because the texts they are asked to read on these tests is rigorous”, Wagner said.
The growth across almost all subgroups in the valley is encouraging to educators, said Jim Feffer, director of assessment and data analysis in Palm Springs Unified. Principal Anita Berger told reporters she has the best job in the District and attributed the gains to the hard work by teachers and the students.
Kathy Felci, an assistant superintendent in Desert Sands, echoed Feffers sentiments, saying that English learners and students with disabilities in particular need to have extra support. “Our growth in English Language Arts overall surpassed the growth in the county and state, which we take as a point of pride”. Levels 4-5 indicate students who meet or exceed expectations. “We will continue to push”. Scores for the 11th grade English test were the only ones that did not improve. As a parent, grandmother, and educator, it matters. “But when we show you slow, steady progress, you say it’s not fast enough”.
Closing the achievement gap in the Coachella Valley, a free evening event, will be held September 14.
Advertisement
Educators, parents and all concerned community members are encouraged to attend.
