Sikeston schools failed to meet goals on MAP tests

SIKESTON, Mo. -- No building in the Sikeston School District met state targets in all subgroups in both reading and math on the state standardized test -- a trend nearly three-fourths of Missouri schools seemed to follow.

Results of the Missouri Assessment Program test were released earlier this month by the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The reading target for last spring's test was to have 51 percent of all students in all subgroups scoring proficient on the MAP test while the target for math was to have 45 percent of all students in all subgroups scoring proficient on the test.

Because no building met all subgroup targets, or adequate yearly progress, in both reading and math, Southeast, Lee Hunter and Matthews elementary schools are in level one of school improvement. Morehouse Elementary, Fifth and Sixth Grade Center, Seventh and Eighth Grade Center and the high school are in level two of school improvement.

Separate plans

"Because all buildings are in school improvement, each building will evaluate activities and programs that are currently in place, and those in level one will write a plan for improvement while those in level two will review their current plans and make necessary changes based on their evaluations of their programs," said Dr. Marisa Bowen, assistant superintendent of curriculum and middle grades.

While no school made adequate yearly progress in both reading and math, some schools did show improvement in some subgroups in reading and math.

In reading, Sikeston's largest growth was in middle grades, Bowen noted.

"The seventh and eighth grades, meeting the target in three of five subgroups, showed improvement in all communication arts subgroups while fifth and sixth grades, also meeting three of five subgroups, showed improvement in the total, 'free and reduced' and black student subgroups," Bowen said.

In math, seventh and eighth grades improved in all subgroups and met the goals in all subgroups. Also meeting math goals in all subgroups were Southeast Elementary and Lee Hunter Elementary.