Reading scores plummet and the state blames the test. Same crap sandwich, different day.
? Third grade: 2008, 56 percent; 2007, 83.3 percent
? Fourth grade: 2008, 61 percent; 2007, 87.6 percent
? Fifth grade: 2008, 57 percent; 2007, 91.7 percent
? Sixth grade: 2008, 61 percent; 2007, 84.5 percent
? Seventh grade: 2008, 52 percent; 2007, 88.5 percent
? Eighth grade: 2008, 55 percent; 2007, 89.9 percent pass
It is possible that the state reading tests are more difficult. This begs a few questions – the tests are more difficult compared to which (and whose) standard? More importantly, if they are more difficult, why didn’t the state raise standards long ago?
Indeed, the sharp decline in pass rates suggests that the previous ten years of reading tests were not too difficult. I mean, did we really believe that 90 percent of eighth grade students were proficient in reading? Ask any middle school teacher if 90 percent of her students have an adequate command of English. That question would inspire a hearty chuckle and an answer in the negative.
Perhaps we wanted to believe that most eighth graders were proficient, but federal National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing indicated that the state’s pass rates were far-fetched. NAEP tests showed that 72 percent of students were at the basic level or above. Only 29 percent of students were at the proficient level or above. At least the new tests are closer to NAEP’s rigorous standards.
DPI did not release reading scores for school districts or schools. Those results will arrive in November. It’s not going to be pretty. But don’t worry – the test is to blame.
