ISTEP+ passing rates up in 2007

Largest gains made in grades 7 through 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Media Contacts:
Jason Bearce, 317.232.6618, jbearce@doe.in.gov
Lynelle A. Miller, 317.232.6614, lamiller@doe.in.gov
Avon Waters, 317.234.4703, awaters@doe.in.gov

ISTEP+ results released today revealed that approximately 72 percent of Indiana students in grades 3- 10 passed state exams in English/language arts (71 percent) and mathematics (74 percent) in 2007, an increase from 2006. This continues a trend of steady, incremental progress over the past decade.

Compared to one year ago, the state showed one-percentage point gains in English/language arts, math and science. The most significant progress occurred in grades 7 through 9, which improved by two to three percentage points on average.

English/language arts pass rates improved in six of the eight grades tested while math pass rates improved or held steady at seven of the eight grades tested. Of the two grade levels tested in science, one improved by three percentage points while the other fell by one percentage point. Over the last decade, the state has seen a 10-point gain in the percentage of students passing both the English/language arts and math sections of ISTEP+.

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“Though we will not be satisfied until every student passes ISTEP+, it is encouraging to see scores moving in the right direction for the state as a whole,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed. “What the statewide numbers don’t reflect are the larger gains being made by many of our local schools, even those with challenging student populations.”

A local perspective

As one example, Reed highlighted the progress made this year by Emma Donnan Middle School in Indianapolis, which has more than 90 percent of its students receiving free and reduced lunches. Reed noted that although studies link high-poverty with low academic performance, Indiana schools are making strides to help these students reach high standards.

This year, Emma Donnan saw its eighth grade passing rates increase by 13 percentage points in math and 3 percentage points in English/language arts. Seventh-grade students improved by five percentage points in math while English/language arts dropped by two percentage points.

Principal Dexter Suggs, who was named a Milken National Educator last month, said an alternative calendar with a July 23 school start date was a major factor in improved scores, but ultimately it came down to educators.

“It’s not programs that make a difference; it’s people who make a difference,” said Suggs. “Our teachers were given the opportunity to transfer to other schools this year, but approximately 90 percent stayed. We had a situation where dedicated people were determined to make a difference.”

More help for teachers and students

To help more schools boost student achievement, Reed announced last week that Indiana will offer local educators new computer-based teaching tools designed to diagnose student learning needs sooner. Identifying learning needs earlier and providing targeted intervention can potentially save millions of dollars through reduced student remediation costs and special education referrals.

Designed to offer immediate feedback on student mastery of state academic standards, these state- provided resources will help Indiana teachers better diagnose student learning needs, focus instruction accordingly and predict whether students are on track to pass ISTEP+ at the end of the year. The computerized tools support reading and math instruction for grades K-2 with expanded support for grades 3-8 in English/language arts, math, science and social studies.

The computer-based teaching tools will be phased in statewide over four years, with the state funding about one-third of K-8 students during the upcoming school year. The Indiana Department of Education will begin accepting applications from interested schools in early 2008.

More about ISTEP+

The Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) is given to approximately 700,000 students in grades 3-10 annually. ISTEP+ offers a snapshot of student progress at a specific point in time, providing educators, students and parents with information they can use to identify specific strengths and weaknesses at each grade level.

All ISTEP+ information, including performance data for each corporation and school, is available for download online at www.doe.in.gov/istep.

Attachment:

2007 ISTEP+ Results Overview