Data released Sept. 29 by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) shows how Daviess County Schools are faring compared to the rest of the state.
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The scores are based on the standardized tests the students finished in May. The test shows student proficiency scores in English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
Scores for county students reflecting English proficiency on the 2016 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) for Top Two Levels Percent, which combines the scores for “proficient” and “advanced”, were: Gallatin 61.6%; Tri-County: 66%; Winston 57.5%; Pattonsburg 60.8%; and North Daviess 48.8%. The state average was 62.9% in English.
Scores for county students reflecting math proficiency on MAP were: Gallatin: 54.9%; Tri-County: 52.5%; Winston 42%; Pattonsburg 47.1%; and North Daviess 28.3%. The state average was 48.6% in math.
Each year, Missouri administers statewide tests using the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) to give students, teachers and parents an objective way to see how well students are learning.
It is important to note that the 2016 MAP grade-level exams in English and math were new, so results cannot be compared with results from previous years’ tests. Because the grade-level test items were new, the scores that define the four levels of achievement (below basic, basic, proficient and advanced) have also changed.
Superintendent Brian Robinson of Winston R-6 believes End of Course Exams (EOC) provide a much clearer snapshot of student progress. The EOC Assessments were created to adapt testing to the needs of Missouri districts, schools, teachers, and students, while meeting state and federal requirements.
At Winston, High School English End of Course Assessments are up over 23% to 77.1% Proficient and Advanced, and High School Math End of Course Exams, up over 13% to 50% Proficient and Advanced. In both High School Science (70% Proficient and Advanced) and Social Studies (84.6% Proficient and Advanced) End of Course Assessments, students scored well above the state averages.
“End of Course Exams have been consistent for the past two years and this has allowed educators to be able to use student data to improve learning and instruction,” said Superintendent Robinson. “To the contrast, Missouri Assessment Program assessments have not been consistent.”
Superintendent Robinson cites a lack of clear learning standards, the shifting of learning standards to new grade levels, having three different achievement tests over the past three years, and requiring students in third grade and above to demonstrate not only content knowledge but also technology proficiency in order to complete MAP assessments — as inconsistencies which present tremendous challenges to students and educators.
To help meet these challenges, Winston has implemented new curriculum to align with the Missouri Learning Standards adopted by the State School Board, and has increased technology instruction to help students gain confidence and comfort with the state testing platform.
“Although scores for MAP assessments are similar to other schools in our State, they are an area that we know we must strive for greater improvement,” Superintendent Robinson said. “We look forward to restored stability at the state so students and educators at the local district can shift their focus from the uncertainty of new learning standards and testing procedures back to helping students be successful at every grade level.”
MAP scores receive the most public attention because of their use in determining the Annual Performance Report (APR) in the Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) for DESE accountability purposes.
Academic achievement is one of the five categories on which districts are assessed, and they can earn up to 140 points; however, Missouri law does not allow the 2016 MAP results to negatively affect district accreditation or teacher evaluations.
The Department will release district APRs to the public this fall.
Data released on Sept. 29 includes district and school-level results on the MAP tests. Map data can be viewed at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education website.