Students hold line on end-of-course algebra tests while English, physical science show improvement
Nearly one-third of the 60,409 students tested in algebra statewide scored an A or a B for the 2005-2006 school year. The mean scale score was 79.6 compared to 79.9 the year before. The scale score is equivalent to a grade of C on the state’s 100-point uniform grading scale, which defines an A as 93-100; a B as 85-92; a C as 77-84; and a D as 70-76. Any score 69 or below is an F.
The algebra grade distribution was mixed overall compared to the previous year. More students had scores equivalent to an A, C or D, while there were fewer equivalents to a B or an F. Algebra end-of-course testing began in the 2003-2004 school year, while English 1, biology, and physical science were added a year later. Students’ end-of-course tests count 20 percent for their final grade in that course.
“Students have had final exams for many years, but these are different because they’re based on our standards and given to all students in the same course statewide,” said State Superintendent of Education Inez Tenebaum. “We seem to be holding our own in algebra, despite the fact that more students are taking the test now. Our physical science and English gains are heartening, but it’s hard to spot trends with only two years of scores on hand.”
Physical science had the lowest “baseline” score in 2004-2005, but gained two scale score points last year, moving the mean from 67.3 up to 69.2. Compared to 2004-2005, students recorded more A, B and C equivalent scores in 2005-2006, while the percentage of failures dropped by six points. Tenenbaum said the state’s newly-revised science standards contributed to this gain, along with curriculum support documents that help teachers in day-to-day classroom instruction.
English 1 test results last year also beat the baseline mark, going from a mean scale score of 75.4 to 76.1. Students had more A and B equivalent scores and fewer D and F equivalents this year as compared to the previous year. Second-year biology scores fell one-half-point below the baseline – 72.3 in 2005-2006 versus the previous mark of 72.8. Biology was the only subject to see a higher percentage of failures in 2005-2006.
“This year’s results remind us that these new tests are tough – like all of our state assessments – and they need to be taken seriously,” Tenenbaum said. “We’ll keep working with our teachers to make sure they cover the academic standards that are going to be measured on the exams.”
The Education Accountability Act of 1998 mandates the end-of-course tests. In math, students enrolled in Algebra 1 courses and Mathematics for the Technologies 2 take the algebra end-of-course test. Content standards for both courses are the same. Similarly, students enrolled in Biology 1 and Applied Biology 2 take the same end-of-course test in biology; content standards for both courses are the same. U.S. History and Constitution tests will be added in this current school year but will not be used as a student accountability measure until the following year.
Tenenbaum said a rapid scoring system enables schools to include the test scores in students’ final course grades. Students’ scores are posted on a secure password-protected website within 36 hours after answer documents are received by the scoring contractor.
Thursday, December 7, 2006
