Statewide assessment results for fall 2011 were released by the Vermont Department of Education Tuesday, February 7, at a press conference held in Montpelier. The results are from the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) exams, given to Vermont public school students in grades three through eight and grade 11.
Students are tested in reading and mathematics. Writing is assessed at grades five, eight and 11. Science is given in grades four, eight and 11 each spring.
In writing, 25 percent of Waitsfield Elementary School fifth-graders tested at level 3, “proficient,” 33 percent tested at level 2, “partially proficient,” and 42 percent tested at level 1, “substantially below proficient.”
In writing, 20 percent of Warren School fifth-grade students were level 4, “proficient with distinction,” 53 percent were level 3, and 27 percent were in level 2 in writing. Seventy-three percent of Fayston School fifth-graders tested at level 3, 18 percent were at level 2 and 9 percent were level one in writing.
Two percent of Harwood eleventh-grade students tested at level 4 in writing, 43 percent were level 3, 38 percent were level 2 and 16 percent were level 1.
In reading, 21 percent of Fayston School students were level four, 61 percent were level 3, 16 percent were level 2 and 1 percent were level 1. In math, 47 percent of FES students were level 4, 46 percent were level 3, 6 percent were level 2 and 1 percent were level 1.
Thirty-eight percent of Moretown Elementary School students were level 4 in reading, 62 percent were level 3. In math, 24 percent of MES students were level 4, 57 percent were level 3 and 19 percent were level 2.
Twenty-three percent of Waitsfield Elementary School students were level 4 in reading, 59 percent were level 3, 10 percent were level 2 and 8 percent were level 1. In math, 33 percent were level 4, 42 percent were level 3, 17 percent were level 2 and 8 percent were level 1.
Forty-two percent of Warren School students were level 4 in reading, 50 percent fell into level 3, 4 percent were level 2 and 4 percent were level 1. In math, 44 percent of Warren students were level 4, 41 percent were level 3, 10 percent were level 2 and 5 percent were level 1.
At Harwood, 18 percent of students were level 4 in reading, 47 percent were level 3, 21 percent were level 2 and 14 percent were level 1. In math, 2 percent of Harwood eleventh-grade students were level 4, 32 percent were level 3, 28 percent were level 2 and 38 percent were level 1.
Commissioner Armando Vilaseca said, “What is most striking about these results is the significant drop in math achievement once our students reach high school. In over 90 percent of our high schools, fewer than half the students scored proficient in math and science. We are currently surveying high schools to find out what math courses students are taking and when in their high school career they are taking them, to ensure learning is aligned with expectations for graduation. I plan to do the same for science in the near future. Are students taking the coursework that is being assessed? Are students adequately prepared? These are some of the questions we are hoping to answer.”
“We really have two major concerns,” assessment director for the Department of Education Michael Hock said in a statement.
“Now and going forward to the common core state standards, what do we require for graduation, and what is the recommended course sequence with specified grade levels? This is particularly important for students aspiring to careers in math and science. All students should take algebra and geometry, and for most they need them early so they are ready for advanced math classes, as well as math required for the sciences. This also means we really need to help guidance counselors, as well as teachers, use assessment results effectively,” Hock said.
Starting in 2014, Vermont students, along with students from a majority of other states in the country, will be taking the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) exams, based on the Common Core State Standards. 2013 will be the last year the NECAP exam will be given.
The NECAP exams are given in collaboration with Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. These exams are specifically designed to assess how well Vermont students have learned the skills and content contained in Vermont’s Grade Expectations.
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