Westports Standardized Test Scores Show Ups And Downs

WESTPORT, Conn. – Westport students earned high marks on this year’s state standardized tests — but not as high as last year. Data released Tuesday from the state shows that scores at the elementary and middle school levels saw an overall decline, following a statewide trend.

Westport's standardized test scores saw an overall improvement at the high school level and an overall decrease in grades 3 through 8.
Photo Credit: *File*

by Vanessa Inzitari

08/15/2013 5:00 a.m.

Although Westport significantly beat the statewide average at every grade level, fewer students in grades 3 through 8 reached the state’s goal on the 2013 Connecticut Mastery Tests than in 2012. The CMT tests math, reading and writing for grades 3 through 8, plus science for grades 5 and 8.

The most noticeable declines were seen in grades 3 and 8. The third-grade scores dipped in all three test categories, but writing saw the biggest drop, with 76 percent of students reaching the goal. Last year, 83 percent of third-graders reached the goal.

At the eighth-grade level, scores were down in math, writing and science. The biggest declines were in the writing and math categories, where 90 percent of students tested at goal. In 2012, 94 percent scored goal in both categories.

The biggest improvement was seen at the fourth-grade reading category, where 89 percent of students scored goal. Last year, 83 percent tested at the reading goal. In fifth-grade, there was a drop in math and writing scores, but reading and science scores remained nearly the same. In writing, 86 percent scored goal, compared to 89 last year. And in math, 91 percent of students scored goal, which is down from 93.

There were no major changes at the sixth or seventh-grade levels. Overall, the sixth-grade scores went slightly up and the seventh-grade scores went slightly down.

There was a statewide decrease in CMT scores. The state Department of Education blamed the transition to Common Core standards in many districts is a reason for the drop.

“Student performance data on the CMT show decreases in all grades and content areas as compared to last year,” a release said. The CMTs were taken in March.

At the high school level, Westport’s scores on the 2013 Connecticut Academic Performance Test saw overall improvement. The test, given annually to 10th-graders, covers math, reading, writing and science.

Improvements were made in all categories except reading, which saw a less than 2 percentage point change. Last year, 83 percent of students tested at goal in reading, compared with 81 percent this year.

The biggest increase was seen in math, where 90 percent earned goal. Last year, 85 percent of students reached the math goal.

To see a full report of Westport’s CMT and CAPT scores, click here.

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