Riverton CUSD #14 State Test Scores FY07
by Tom Mulligan
September 07, 2007
Riverton CUSD #14 2006/2007 State Test Scores
The state test scores have been received by each school district around the state of Illinois. For the 2006/2007 school year, students in grades 3-8 were tested in reading and math using the Illinois Standardized Achievement Test (ISAT). Students in grades 4 and 7 were tested in science as well on the ISAT. All students in grade 11 were tested in reading, math and science using the Prairie State Achievement Exam (PSAE).
The Riverton School District has several demographic characteristics that significantly influence test data. Those three characteristics are poverty, mobility and special education numbers. The district saw an increase in the number of special education students tested in 2006/2007, up from 14% (in 2005/2006) to 18%. The district also saw an increase in the number of students tested that are considered poverty students, up from 22% to 33%. The district mobility rates (students that move in and out of the district annually) continue to be above the state average.
The descriptions of these demographic characteristics do not in anyway represent an excuse for the slight decline in test scores from the previous year. They are rather reported to provide the reader with a complete picture of the district’s data for achievement.
Riverton CUSD #14 experienced a slight decline in state test scores for the first time in 6 years. The following will provide a summary of the test scores for the Riverton School District:
District Summary
The district saw a slight decline in the percentage of student who met and/or exceeded on the state assessments from the 2005/2006 school year. Although that is the case, the numbers of students who met/exceeded in all areas are still up significantly from the 2001/2002 school year. The following shows the comparisons from the 2005/2006 school year to the 2006/2007 school year.
Comparison #1
Percentage of district students meeting and/or exceeding on the ISAT and PSAE
- Reading 69.14% = 3.02% Decrease
- Math 79.58% = 0.71% Decrease
- Science 73.90% = 0.34% Increase
Comparison #2
The following shows that the district saw an increase in performance for students not receiving special education services and a decline in performance for those students who are receiving special education services
Non Special Education Students’ Scores
- Reading 77.44% to 77.61% = 0.17% Increase
- Math 84.04% to 84.64% = 0.60% Increase
- Science 76.71% to 77.27% = 0.56% Increase
Special Education Students’ Scores
- Reading 39.05% to 27.48% = 11.58% Decrease
- Math 61.90% to 54.96% = 6.94% Decrease
- Science 59.46% to 54.55% = 4.91% Decrease
Comparison #3
The following shows the comparison of how the students who are on free and reduced lunch performed from year to year
Free and Reduced Students’ Scores
- Reading 64.74% to 57.89% = 6.86% Decrease
- Math 72.44% to 71.66% = 0.78% Decrease
- Science 68.66% to 66.33% = 2.33% Decrease
Summary of Results
Reading
- ES – increase in non-special education student performance, decrease in special education student performance, decrease in poverty student performance
- MS – increase non-special education student performance, decrease special education student performance, decrease in poverty student performance
- HS – significant increase in non-special education reading performance (15%), increase in overall reading performance, decrease in special education student performance
Math
- ES – increase in student performance in all subject areas
- MS – slight decrease in math performance
- HS – maintained achievement levels
Overall Observations about Achievement
- Performance gap exists with free and reduced students in the area of reading, which is consistent with research
- IEP students scored higher in areas of higher collaboration (science and math)
- IEP students’ scores saw a slight decline in science and math but not as substantial as reading
- IEP students’ scores in reading were consistently the lowest
- Mobility in terms of students not counted in the scores did not impact achievement
Trends in Demographics
- Steady increase in attendance rates across the district
- Increase in each of the last four years in enrollment figures (this year largest in ten years)
- The largest classes are still in the high school. This could create a funding concern in 3-5 years.
- Free and reduced numbers are continuing to increase
- Continual increase in special education numbers (higher than county and state averages)
- Mobility is higher than state and county averages and continues to grow
Analysis of Achievement Data Overall
- The increase in special education students, along with their drop in performance substantially impacted our performance, especially in the area of reading
- The large increase in free and reduced lunch students substantially impacted our performance in the area of reading only
Analysis of Achievement Data - Reading
Elementary School Reading
• Consistent Performance – should start to see results from program improvements over last couple of years
Middle School Reading
• Slight Implementation Dip – re-focus on strategies
• Implementation Dip necessary for long term growth
• 7th Grade Drop
High School Reading
• Great progress in short-term related to new curriculum focused on strategies (63% for students receiving that curriculum)
• Expand use of strategies to special education, the new freshman reading requirement and through non-reading courses
Analysis of Achievement Data - Math
Grade 3-6 Math – Success from work on Every Day Math Program Improvements
7/8 Grade Math
• Implementation Dip – 7th Grade – Curriculum Adjustment
• Lowest Achievement – 8th Grade ?
High School Math
• Too early to tell – WIN, New Course Requirements related to rigor
• This year’s juniors - 1st Class with 3-Year Math Requirement
Analysis of Achievement Data - Science
4th and 7th Grade – curriculum strong alignment to standards
High School
• Reading strategies
• Possibly Increase Course Requirements
A total breakdown of test scores will be reported in this year’s school report card!!!!
