Preliminary results of Smarter Balanced tests show improvement in all subjects, grades, and subgroups
The Connecticut State Department of Education announced significant and important jumps statewide in preliminary English language arts and math results on the second administration of the Smarter Balanced exams.
Overall, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the achievement standard statewide increased by 3.3 points to 55.7 percent in ELA, and 3.9 points to 44 percent in math. The 2014-15 test administration represented the baseline year for the Smarter Balanced exams, which set a new, higher bar for students because unlike the tests of the past, they are designed to assess critical thinking skills with more complex, difficult questions.
The 2016 Smarter Balanced results showed solid improvement in both subjects, across all grades, and for all high-needs student subgroups. All of Connecticut’s Alliance Districts showed improvement in ELA and most showed improvement in math, with about half of Alliance Districts improving at a faster rate than the state overall — a testament to the success of targeted support and investment in our highest need districts.
While student performance was up on average across the state, it is encouraging to note that about half of the Alliance Districts improved at a rate faster than the state, with some districts showing improvement gains of 5 percentage points or higher. In ELA, six Alliance Districts improved by 5 percentage points or higher: Bloomfield at 6.1 points, East Haven at 7.2 points, New Haven at 5.0 points, Norwich at 5.1 points, West Haven at 5.1 points, and Windham at 8.7 points. In math, 10 districts improved by 5 points or higher: Ansonia at 5.5 points, Bloomfield at 5.9 points, East Haven at 6.4 points, Killingly at 5.4 points, Meriden at 7.1 points, Putnam at 10.3 points, Vernon at 5.1 points, West Haven at 10.3 points, Windham at 6.6 points, and Windsor Locks at 7.9 points.
As Connecticut continues to score highly in ELA, it is encouraging that the new results show that over half of third-graders are now meeting or exceeding the achievement standard in math. After last year’s release of Smarter Balanced results showed struggles with math performance, Commissioner Wentzell brought together educators, industry and business leaders, and experts in math and STEM instruction on a Commissioner’s Council on Mathematics.
This group spent the last year researching best practices, both in Connecticut and across the nation, and exploring innovative strategies in the areas of math instruction. That council will release its final report and recommendations in the fall. The results showed improvement for all subgroups of students. Overall, 31.4 percent of black students and 33.2 percent of Hispanic students met or exceeded expectations in ELA, while 17.6 percent of black students and 21.2 percent of Hispanic students met or exceeded achievement standards in math. That represents a jump of over 3 percentage points since 2014-15 — and it represents important growth. Nonetheless, it highlights that, just like other states across the country, achievement gaps remain and must be tackled.
Read the complete Press Release from the CT Department of Education here.