Board lauds test results, looks to improve

JACKSON, Mo. -- Superintendent Ron Anderson told the school board Tuesday that state test results give the district two kinds of news: good and better.

Although seventh grade science scores were lower than state averages, overall results for the Missouri Assessment Program were exceedingly positive.

Anderson, the district superintendent, said the results showed the district maintaining scores higher than the average results of students across the state. Meanwhile, steps have already been taken to improve science education.

Significant decreases in seventh grad science were found among students who took the test in 2001 compared to those who took the test in 2000. Scores in the nearing proficient and advanced categories fell by 4 percent, while scores in the proficient range fell 9 percent.

Dr. Sam Duncan, director of state and federal programming for the district, said seventh grade science was the sole area where a significant decrease in average scores was witnessed from the prior year.

Because of the results, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction Rita Fisher looked at the seventh grade science curriculum and found that in both sixth and seventh grades, students were being taught mainly life sciences without much instruction on earth science.

Earth science is the primary focus of the MAP test, she said.

She said the curriculum has been amended and earth science textbooks have been bought for sixth grade students.

hkronmueller@semissourian.com

335-6611 ext. 128