Most Scott City school district scores sink below state average

Except for social studies, Scott City schools scored lower than the state average in English language arts, math and science this year.

However, there were bright spots in language arts at Scott City middle and high schools, and math scores soared for eighth-graders.

MAP tests are part of what the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education uses to determine a district's score on its annual performance report, said Sarah Potter, communications coordinator for the department.

Students can score at below basic, basic, proficient and advanced levels on the exams. But the state looks at the sum of the proficient and advanced percentages.

Scores statewide declined in English, math and science, which could be attributed to new curriculum standards, bad weather resulting in reduced instruction time, and a "refreshed" Missouri Assessment Program test form, according to DESE.

Overall, the Scott City district scored:

• 47.4 percent in English;
• 47 percent in math;
• 42.3 percent in science;
• 72.9 percent in social studies.

The district last year posted:

• 52.2 percent in English;
• 49.1 percent in math;
• 50 percent scored proficient in science;
• 36.1 percent in social studies.

State averages this year were:

• 53.5 percent for English;
• 53.3 percent in math;
• 55.9 percent in science;
• 55.5 percent in social studies.

In 2013, state average scores in language arts were 55.7 percent; 53.8 percent in math; 59.1 percent in science; and 50.6 percent in social studies.

Superintendent Diann Ulmer said it's probably not uncommon that scores fluctuated this year, and pointed toward the transition to Missouri Learning Standards, which define the knowledge and skills students need in each grade level and course for success in college, other postsecondary training and careers.

This will be the first full year of Missouri Learning Standards, and students will be tested on those standards. All those tests will be online, including MAP. End-of-course exams already were administered online.

"We changed some things at the elementary level to meet those testing guidelines to give kids keyboarding skills at an earlier age. There's a lot of planning that's gone into getting ready to offer the test ... a whole lot of planning," Ulmer said.

Comparing this year to last, she said, there were similarities in language arts, Ulmer said.

"We had some growth in the social studies area," she said.

She said subgroup achievement math stayed at the 100 percent level districtwide, and language arts remained the same.

But Ulmer said supporting data show the district's growth in English and math are "on track" under academic achievement.

Biology 1 scores were off because of a small sample size and students being in the alternative school or enrolled in Missouri Options -- a different approach for students who are unsuccessful in traditional classes, Ulmer said.

Additionally, the order in which biology was taught also was changed so students are taking the course when they get older and understand the concepts better.

As it does every year, Ulmer said the district is "drilling down our data to individual students to see what the students need to meet the performance levels. ... We're continuing to work within our data teams and we look at student data and create ways to try to improve student achievement through the use of that data."

The district also will be focusing on super-subgroup achievement and continuing to find ways to help those students. Super-subgroups include low-income students, English language learners and students with disabilities, according to DESE.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

3000 Main St., Scott City, Mo.