Thanks to Anne Carroll for passing this along to me. -----------------------------------------------------
The results of the 2005 Basic Skills Tests in math, reading, and writing have just been released, and there is very good news for Saint Paul Public Schools!
Overall results:
Statewide the results for eighth-graders were up in reading (from 81% of students passing in 2004 to 85% in 2005) and up in math (from 71% of students passing in 2004 to 75% in 2004).
In the Saint Paul Public Schools, we have very good news. The percentage of eighth-graders passing the BSTs on their first try is at an all-time high for both reading and math (65% in reading and 48% in math). In addition, the percentage of 10th-graders passing the writing BST also reached an all-time high (80%).
Highlights of the 2005 Basic Skills Test Results for Saint Paul Public Schools:
* The percentage of eighth-graders passing the BSTs on their first try is at an all-time high for both reading and math. * We're at our highest ever passing percentage for eighth-grade reading at 65%?up from 58% last year. * We've matched our highest ever passing percentage for eighth-grade math at 48%?up from 43% last year.
* Many individual junior high/middle schools saw a higher percentage of eighth-graders passing the BSTs on their first try this year compared to last year. * Several schools saw double-digit percentage point increases in reading and math this year.
* English language learners did much better on the BSTs this year than in the past. * The percentage of eighth-grade ELL students passing the reading test increased from 42% last year to 64% this year. * The percentage of eighth-grade ELL students passing the math test increased from 30% last year to 47% this year. * When you include students who are not ELL but whose home language is not English, you see that we have closed the achievement gap for English language learners. Students whose home language is not English had the same passing percentage on both the reading and math tests as students whose home language is English. (48% math and 65% reading).
* We saw increases from last year for ALL ethnic groups in BOTH subject areas, and we are beginning to close the gap. * The biggest increases were for Asian American and Hispanic American students. * Asian American students: In reading, 54% of eighth graders passed last year compared to 68% this year. In math, 45% passed last year and 54% passed this year. * Hispanic American students: In reading, 47% of eighth graders passed last year compared to 61% this year. In math, 29% passed last year and 40% passed this year.
* A higher percentage of eighth-grade students in every economic category passed the test. * In reading, 58% of eighth-grade students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals passed the test compared to 47% last year * In math, 39% of eighth-grade students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals passed the test compared to 32% last year.
* We once again confirm our statement that students who have been with us three years or more do significantly better on these tests. * In math, 70.1% of eighth-grade students who have been enrolled in Saint Paul Public Schools for three years or more passed the test compared to 51.5% who were enrolled in the school district for one year. * In math, 54.2% of eighth-grade students who have been enrolled in Saint Paul Public Schools for three years or more passed the test compared to 29.1% who were enrolled in the school district for one year.
* Special education saw a higher percentage of students passing compared to last year. * In reading, 26% of eighth-grade special education students passed the test compared to 19% last year. * In math, 15% of eighth-grade special education students passed the test compared to 14% last year.
* The overall percentage of 10th-grade students passing the writing test is at its highest level ever. * District wide 80% of 10th-graders passed the writing test this year compared to 78% last year. * Five schools had an increased percentage of students passing this year compared to last year. One school had a 15 percentage point increase compared to last year.
We're so excited!
* We are extremely pleased to see the results of the BSTs and to see that all the hard work of staff, students and parents is paying off. Even as we serve more students with challenges, we continue to be accountable and show results with students.
* These test results confirm that our agenda in the Saint Paul Public Schools is working. We have focused many of our efforts this year on the junior high schools and these test results show that our work is paying off. The 10th grade writing results also reflects our emphasis on writing in Saint Paul at all levels.
* Saint Paul Public Schools is a leader in working with students who are English language learners, students in poverty and special education students.
* We still have a ways to go, but we are beginning to close the gap with students of color.
* Unless we receive adequate funding from the legislature this year, our momentum is at risk. We just can't continue to do more with less.
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Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED]
-- ================================================= Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722 [EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim =================================================
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