Published: December 04, 2008 11:04 pm            

Vigo high schools, middle schools see ISTEP-Plus scores improvement

TERRE HAUTE — Vigo County School Corp. 2008 middle and high school ISTEP-Plus scores improved in several areas, while elementary scores declined slightly, according to district officials.

In English/language arts, Vigo County pass rates ranged from 74 percent in Grade 3 to 60 percent in Grade 8. In math, pass rates ranged from a high of 79 percent in Grade 6 to 60 percent in Grade 10. Out of 14 categories tested (seven grades tested in two subject areas — language arts and math), the school district declined in eight areas, improved in five areas and stayed the same in one area. In comparison, state average scores declined one or two points in nine areas, improved in one area and stayed the same in four areas.

In Vigo County, elementary pass rates declined one to four points in all six categories (Grades 3, 4 and 5 in English/language arts and math).

“We were not surprised that elementary scores were slightly down this year in comparison to last year… because we had such growth last year,” said Karen Goeller, Vigo County schools deputy superintendent. Last year, elementary grades improved in five of six categories.

Despite the decline at the elementary level, three of the six categories were still at or above the state average (Grade 3 language arts and Grade 3 and 4 math scores).

Goeller said that is “very good,” given Vigo County’s percentage of students on free and reduced lunches as well as those who qualify for special education services, which in both cases are above the state average.

In terms of a five-year trend pattern, students in all three grades in elementary are progressing at a faster rate than the state average, Goeller said.

“Our concern, however, is always for the students who are not meeting state standards … and we will continue to put the best programs in place in our schools to provide these students with the academic support they need,” she said.

Middle school grades (6, 7 and 8) showed gains in three areas, a decline in two areas and stayed the same in one area. The sharpest declines came in eighth grade, with English/language arts scores declining seven points — from 67 percent passing last year to a 60 percent pass rate this year. In eighth-grade math, 73 percent passed last year, compared to 68 percent this year, a five-point decline.

Middle school math scores showed a five-point improvement in grade 6, (from 74 to 79 percent passing), and a six-point improvement in grade 7, (from 72 to 78 percent passing).

The percentage of students passing the 10th-grade high school graduation exam increased one point each for both English/language arts and math, with 64 percent and 60 percent passing, respectively.

“We are pleased to see some upward movement from year-to-year at the 10th grade,” Goeller said. “This is especially important because more students have completed the graduation requirement on their first attempt.”

Both McLean and Booker T. Washington alternative high schools showed significant improvement in their English/language arts ISTEP pass rates.

This will be the first year that parents have on line access to student scores in English/language arts, math and science, said Rex Ireland, the school district’s assessment coordinator.

Each parent will receive a letter from the state that explains the on line access process, including user ID and password. Parents also will have access to educational resources.

“This is a big change to have electronic access for parents, right in their own homes,” Goeller said.

Next week, the school district will mail out student reports with the scores, just as it has in the past. The state letter outlining on line access will be included in that mailing.

“In this transition year, we wanted to provide parents with a hard copy as well,” Goeller said.

This is the last year that students in Indiana will take a fall ISTEP-Plus, Ireland said.

There will be two parts to the spring test offered at separate times. The ISTEP-Plus writing (applied skills) test will be given between March 2-11. The ISTEP-Plus Progress (multiple choice) test will be given April 27-May 6.

Scores from the two assessments will be combined for a total score that will be returned to schools next August. The spring ISTEP-Plus will provide feedback about current grade-level performance on the Indiana Academic Standards.

Along with English/language arts and math testing in Grades 3 through 8, students also will be tested in science in Grades 4 and 6 and in social studies at Grades 5 and 7.

This year’s freshmen, the class of 2012, will have a new graduation requirement. They must pass an Algebra 1 and English 10 end-of-course assessment.

Statewide, student testing results showed a slight decline from last year in most grades, but the state schools chief, Suellen Reed, said Thursday the difference was not statistically significant.

By grade level, pass rates statewide ranged from 74 percent in Grade 3 to 67 percent grade 10 for English/language arts. In math, 70 percent passed in grade 3, 81 percent in grade 7 and 65 percent in grade 10.

English passing rates were down one point in all but one grade, which held steady. Mathematics results were mixed, with most grades holding steady or down slightly. The seventh grade math passing rate rose two percentage points from last year.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.





By the numbers

Vigo County School Corp. ISTEP-Plus English/language arts

2007 2008 difference state pass rate

Grade 3 — 75 *74 -1 74

Grade 4 — 73 70 -3 73

Grade 5 — 74 72 -2 74

Grade 6 — 68 69 +1 71

Grade 7 — 65 65 same 69

Grade 8 — 67 60 -7 68

Grade 10 — 63 64 +1 67



ISTEP-Plus math scores

2007 2008 difference state pass rate

Grade 3 — 72 *71 -1 70

Grade 4 — 78 *74 -4 73

Grade 5 — 77 75 -2 77

Grade 6 — 74 *79 +5 79

Grade 7 — 72 78 +6 81

Grade 8 — 73 68 -5 74

Grade 10 — 59 60 +1 65



*met or exceeded state average

Source: Vigo County School Corp. and

Indiana Department of Education

        

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