JACKSON STUDENTS SCORE WELL ON STATE ACHIEVEMENT TESTS

JACKSON - Students in the Jackson School District scored well above the state average in many instances on their 1993 Missouri Mastery Achievement Tests.

The multiple-choice tests, which measure a student's mastery of knowledge in reading/language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, were administered to the second through 10th grade classes between April 13-23.

"Overall, we feel the test scores for the district were very good," said Assistant Superintendent Fred Jones. "There were some areas where the scores were down from last year's MMAT, and others areas where the scores were above last year's scores, but in all cases, the 1993 test scores were still at, or above, the state MMAT average.

"The administration and school board felt like our scores were good, and we're very pleased with them. This year, our test scores in the district went from 16 to 76 points above the state MMAT average scores."

Although MMAT test scores fluctuate up or down each year in the subjects tested, Jones said an increase or decrease of 25 points is considered a significant change in the average.

For example, he said the test score for third grade reading/language arts was up 46 points this year over the state average. Significant increases in test scores in language arts were also noted in the other eight grades tested.

There were dramatic increases in the MMAT test scores in most of the grades tested in science this year, including a 53-point increase in third grade, 68-point increase in fifth grade, 66 point increase in sixth grade, and a 76-point increase in test scores in ninth grade science.

There were also increases in local test scores over the state average in social studies, including third grade, which was up 51 points; fifth grade, up 46 points; and eighth grade, up 42 points.

There were also significant increases in MMAT math scores this year in the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and 10th grades.

The only significant drop in a test score was in the second grade reading/language arts, which was down 23 points from the school district's 1992 average.

"That score was certainly a disappointment to us," said Jones. "We would prefer to see the scores continue to go up. But keep in mind, a single test is not an indication of overall achievement in any one grade level or subject," he said.

As an example, Jones said on the 1992 MMAT reading skills test, second grade student scores were up 60 points over the state average. This year, the scores were only 23 points above the state mean. "It seems like a drop in achievement, but this year's score was still significantly above the state average," he pointed out.

During the past five years, Jones said test scores in some subjects have risen dramatically, while others have remained relatively flat.

"We have seen test scores in ninth grade science increase from 88 to 100 points during this period, while in other areas, such as ninth grade English, the scores have remained generally flat, although they were always above the state average," he said.

Jones said the MMAT test scores are now in the hands of building principals, who will review the scores with the classroom teachers.

"Although we have continued to score above the state average in all grades and subject areas, that does not mean there is not room for improvement," he continued. "Where a test score was lower than last year at the district level, we'll see if we can determine the reason, and use the score to point out areas that we need to work on."

Jones emphasized that parents and patrons of the school district should remember that MMAT measures academic achievement only in particular areas. "The MMAT does not nearly correspond to everything that we teach in the Jackson school district, or our overall goals and objectives, which are set by the school board, school administration and our teachers," he explained.

"The MMAT is just one indicator of success, or lack of success. The overall assessment of a student's academic achievement is best determined by the classroom teacher and the student, and not by some school administrator looking at a page of statistical scores.

"When we talk about MMAT test scores, we're talking about figures that may, or may not be good indicators of success or lack of success in grade level or subject area. This can best be determined by teachers and principals who are able to look at the overall classroom performance during the entire year."