Highline Public Schools press release:

Highline public schools made significant progress on state standardized tests in 2012, especially on math exams, where scores are up across the board.

Math: Scores are up in every grade tested at elementary school, middle school and high school levels. Results increased dramatically in several grades, including third grade (+8) and eighth grade (+13)

Science: Test results improved at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Scores jumped13 points at fifth grade.

Writing: Scores increased in every grade level in which writing is assessed. They went up by five points in fourth grade and tenth grade.

Several schools saw significant gains in all subject areas. At Des Moines Elementary, Principal Jenniffer Reinig says closely monitoring students’ progress, embracing the district’s new math curriculum, and teaching to state standards led to improvements.

Des Moines Elementary State Test Score Improvement
Reading Writing Math Science
+7 +19 +10 +22

Chinook Middle School, a school previously identified as low performing, made significant progress by giving students multiple opportunities to learn, among other strategies, according to Principal Mark Demick.

Chinook Middle School State Test Score Improvement
Reading Writing Math Science
+7 +5 +17 +16

Principal Jenni MacDonald at Health Sciences and Human Services High School (HS3) credits high expectations for all students, a focus on reading and writing in all classes, and Saturday school for double-digit increases in scores.

HS3 State Test Score Improvement
Reading Writing Algebra Geometry
+9 +22 +15 +14

“These scores represent the hard work and dedication of our staff and students. I am very proud of them,” says Superintendent Susan Enfield. “We won’t be satisfied, however, until all our students meet or exceed standard. We will be involving staff, families, and community partners in a district-wide conversation about how we can ensure that every student is truly on a path to success.”

This fall, the district will begin a major strategic planning process that will set specific goals and metrics for improvement over the next five years. There will be multiple opportunities for public input on the strategic plan. Information about community meetings and other opportunities to participate will be announced in September.

Dorn Encouraged by State Testing Results

Class of 2013 the first to face math assessment requirement for graduation

OPSI press release:

Scores on statewide testing continue to show improvement, State Superintendent Randy Dorn said today.

His comments came as part of the official release of scores for the 2012 administration of the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP), High School Proficiency Exams (HSPEs)and high school End-of-Course (EOC) exams.
“
Students are continuing to make progress,” Dorn said. “Science and math scores are up in almost every grade. Those trends are due to the great work that our science and math teachers do every day, and the fact that we have new standards that are clear and address what students need now and in the future.”

Specifically, Dorn cited a 10.4 percent jump in fifth-grade science scores, from 55.7 percent of students passing in 2011 to 66.1 percent in 2012, as well as a 4.7 percent jump in eighth-grade scores, from 61.6 percent in 2011 to 66.3 percent in 2012.
“
This is the second year students have been tested on the new science standards,” Dorn said, “and what we’re seeing is that students are learning the new standards. I also think schools are placing an increased emphasis on science at the earlier grades, and it’s paying off in test scores.”

Dorn added that the implementation of the Common Core State Standards in the 2013‒14 school year, and the introduction of the Smarter Balanced assessment the following year, will require a different approach to the assessment system. “Coming soon, I’ll be promoting some major changes to the assessment system,” he said. “I’ll have details about that before the next legislative session.” [More …]

Full story: http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2012/StateTestResults…