The results are from the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) science exams given to Vermont public school students statewide. Schools rank according to four tiers of proficiency levels: "proficient with distinction," "proficient," "partially proficient," and "substantially below proficient."
According to the results, 89 percent of students at the Moretown Elementary School are "proficient" and 11 percent were determined "partially proficient" in science.
Seven percent of students at the Fayston Elementary School are "proficient with distinction," 87 percent are "proficient," and 7 percent are "partially proficient."
Ninety-four percent of students at the Waitsfield Elementary School are "proficient," and 6 percent were determined "partially proficient." Seventy-six percent of Warren School students are "proficient," according to the results, while 16 percent are "partially proficient" and 8 percent are "substantially below proficient."
"These results represent an early snapshot of science understanding by Vermont students, and indicate that alignment of instruction with science grade expectations in elementary classrooms is beginning to make a difference," said science assessment coordinator Gail Hall. "However, all school programs need to continue to give standards-based science content greater emphasis within classrooms, as well as problem solving, critical thinking, and reading and writing skills in science."
Warren School Principal Dr. Andreas Lehner said, "The results are in. The good news is that our scores show a nice improvement. They are above the WWSU average and well above the state scores. On the other hand, there's still room for improvement in comparison to other Valley schools."
Seventy three percent of students in the Washington West Supervisory Union (WWSU) are "proficient." Valley schools' proficiency percentage increased from 75 percent to 88 percent between 2008 and 2009. The statewide proficiency percentage increased from 28 percent to 52 percent over the past year.
The NECAP exams were created in collaboration with Rhode Island and New Hampshire. These exams are designed to specifically assess how well Vermont students have learned the skills and content contained in the Vermont Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities. This is the second year of results on the NECAP science exams.
For school reports, visit www.education.vermont.gov/new/html/pgm_assessment/data.html#html.
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