Maine students score lower in standardized tests
Standardized test scores for Maine elementary and middle school students dropped in most areas of the state, according to results of the latest New England Common Assessment Program.
The Kennebec Journal reported the latest scores show that fifth-graders were the only group to make progress, showing higher scores in math and writing. All other subjects saw drops in the number of students scoring “proficient” or higher.
Overall, 60.2% of Maine’s elementary and middle school students scored proficient in math, down from 62.1% last year. In reading, proficient scores dropped slightly to 69.1% from 71% and writing proficiency dropped to 48.4% from 51.1%.
Jim Rier, the state’s education commissioner, said he’s encouraged to see that the percentage of elementary level proficiency scores remains high, but called the declining scores “troubling.”
This year was the last in which Maine students will take the NECAP test, switching next year to Common Core-aligned tests, based on standards adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia. Results from the new test will not be comparable to past NECAP scores.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments