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State testing gains met with applause, questions
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Published: August 7, 2009
Big gains in reading, math and science test scores brought celebration around North Carolina and caution flags from some education leaders.
At issue are the tens of thousands of students who only passed state exams on their second try - scores that counted toward school success rates for the first time.
Statewide, the percentage of students who passed their exams in 2009 nudged up during the first round but jumped significantly when the retests were added, according to a report presented Thursday.
N.C. Board of Education Chair Bill Harrison said the bump from retesting gives a clearer picture of student achievement: "I am pleased that we can give schools credit for this accomplishment."
But CMS Superintendent Peter Gorman and former N.C. Board of Education Chair Howard Haworth called for the state to stop using retest results, saying it inflates the appearance of success.
"I question the veracity of data that shows that in four days, five days, eight days of teaching, large numbers of students suddenly become proficient," Gorman said at a news conference. "We are giving people false hope by saying the retest number is the number."
But Gorman said the state's "growth measure," which checks whether students made a year's progress compared with previous scores, offers genuine cause for celebration.
Almost 86 percent of Iredell-Statesville Schools, all Mooresville Graded Schools and 81 percent statewide met or surpassed the growth target, according to results published online.
The growth measure is based on where students started the year: Strong students can count against a school if they don't make enough progress. Likewise, schools get credit for moving struggling kids ahead, even if some remain below grade level.
"This is the piece that I believe is the most important indicator," Gorman said, noting that teachers prepared for testing this year as they were facing possible layoffs.
"None of this got in the way of our teachers doing a great job," he said. "To make this kind of success in any year would be praiseworthy."
No bonuses
But there's bad news for teachers: Because of the budget crisis, they won't get state bonuses for meeting the growth goals, as they have in years past. State law authorizes teacher bonuses of up to $750 for making expected growth and $1,500 for high growth.
On Thursday, the state released growth results for all schools, but offered more details on performance in elementary and middle schools. More information on high school pass rates, which are based on different exams, will come later.
Student test scores are divided into four categories: at, above, below or well below grade level. Students who score at or above grade level are considered passing.
This year, the state required all students who scored below grade level to retake the exams; if they scored "well below" it was up to parents to request a retest. In years past, some students retook the tests but their scores didn't count toward school and state results.
A state commission on testing recommended adding the retest results, an idea suggested by local superintendents. Many remained enthusiastic as results came in Thursday.
"I'm convinced it's a more accurate measure," said Diane Villwock, testing director for Chapel Hill-Carrboro schools.
Statewide, 58.5 percent of elementary and middle school students passed the reading test on the first try, up from 55.6 percent in 2008. After the retest, that went to 67.5 percent.
In math, 72 percent passed on the first try, up from 69.9 in 2008. The retest pushed that to 79.9 percent.
Science results from 2008 were not available. This year 54 percent passed the test on the first try, rising to 64 percent with retesting.
Next year the state plans to start letting high school student retake their End of Course exams if they fail.
Haworth, who served on the state board when officials created the testing program, said that's a mistake.
"Obviously the scores have an artificial exaggeration for reasons that are not totally explainable," Haworth said. "We'd be far better off to use the original scores as the baseline, eliminate this year's retesting and by all means not move forward with the retesting in high school."
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