Ledyard Board of Education reviews testing results
Ledyard — Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Byars reported the results of the school district standardized testing Wednesday night.
The date marks the second year that the Smarter Balanced test and NWEA MAP testing were administered; however, changes in the Smarter Balanced testing mean that year-over-year results are not comparable.
In the Smarter Balanced English language arts test, the district average exceeded the state average in all grades except fifth, with between 55 and 65 percent of students meeting or exceeding the achievement standard.
In the Smarter Balanced math assessment, the district was in line with the state average, with between 40 and 50 percent meeting or exceeding the achievement standard.
The test sets rigorous math standards which the school, as well as the state, has had a tougher time meeting than the English language arts standards.
"I definitely think it's reflective of the high standards of Connecticut ... one of those challenges it's just going to take some time to build up a foundation," Byars said.
In the CAPT and CMT tests for science achievement, all schools had over 50 percent of students exceeding the goal. Additionally, 82 percent of students tested in Juliet W. Long School, 77 percent in Ledyard Center School and 59 percent at the high school exceeded the CAPT standards.
In the NWEA MAP assessement, which measures student academic growth in their grade level, scores consistently were above the average, with scores between the 80th and 70th percentiles.
Testing enables teachers to focus teaching on specific skills a student may be lacking.
"You see certain areas or weaknesses divided out ... to recognize what to emphasize in teaching," Byars said. Teachers also are able to group students with similar skills together in lessons.
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