 |
| Secretary of Education Dr. Melody Schopp |
Preliminary
results on the 2016 statewide assessment in English language arts and math show
gains in student performance in both content areas and in all but one tested
grade level. The assessment is administered each spring to just under 70,000
South Dakota public school students in grades 3-8 and 11.
I commend
students and educators for the hard work and dedication that has led to these
improvements.
It takes
about 100 students to show a 1 percent increase in proficiency at each grade
level, so we are talking about 300 to 600 more students testing proficient in
many grade levels, which is significant progress. We also saw growth overall
for our Native American students.
Our youngest
tested students are showing the greatest gains. This makes sense, since they
have been working with these content standards in math and English language
arts for most, if not their entire, school careers.
At the other
end of the spectrum, our 11th grade assessment results are largely flat.
We aren’t entirely sure why this is, but I think several factors are at play.
Our state’s 11th graders have spent a smaller proportion of their
schooling with these content standards, and they are much more familiar with
the former state assessment, which was essentially a “bubble test.” It did not
require them to apply and demonstrate their knowledge in the way the Smarter
Balanced assessment does.
We also know
that some of our 11th grade students feel the test has little value
or meaning for them. I want to share the
message with our high school students and their parents that all six of our
state’s public universities accept Smarter Balanced scores for placement
purposes. This makes the assessment very valuable. Students who score in Levels
3 or 4 in math and/or English language arts avoid the need for remediation and
can automatically enter credit-bearing courses in the respective content area
once they get to college.
I’ve said
repeatedly that we must stay the course with regard to our state standards in
English language arts and math. These preliminary assessment results bolster
that message.
I
am also pleased to report that a recent lawsuit against the state of South
Dakota for its participation in a multi-state testing consortium was dismissed.
As part of the consortium, South Dakota benefits from the shared expertise of
member states and the lower costs available through a cooperative effort.
South
Dakota educators have aided in the development of the Smarter Balanced
assessment over the past several years, and their involvement continues. Several
educators from our state were recently asked to participate in further item
development this summer.
Smarter
Balanced (SBAC) Test
% of students at or above Level 3*
% of students at or above Level 3*
English Language Arts
|
|
2016 State SBAC (preliminary)
|
2015 State SBAC (final)
|
|
Grade
3
|
50.57%
|
47.65%
|
|
Grade
4
|
50.24%
|
44.44%
|
|
Grade
5
|
50.2%
|
47.77%
|
|
Grade
6
|
51.38%
|
44.51%
|
|
Grade
7
|
52.39%
|
48.44%
|
|
Grade
8
|
53.09%
|
47.33%
|
|
Grade
11
|
60.3%
|
59.71%
|
|
All
Grades
|
52.36%
|
48.19%
|
Mathematics
|
|
2016 State SBAC (preliminary)
|
2015 State SBAC (final)
|
|
Grade
3
|
54.03%
|
50.23%
|
|
Grade
4
|
48.5%
|
44.47%
|
|
Grade
5
|
38.18%
|
36.18%
|
|
Grade
6
|
40.97%
|
33.79%
|
|
Grade
7
|
42.63%
|
38.59%
|
|
Grade
8
|
41.95%
|
38.12%
|
|
Grade
11
|
37.87%
|
38.77%
|
|
All
Grades
|
43.63%
|
40.13%
|
*Levels 3 and 4 considered on track for
college/career readiness
