Tahoma
students retained their standing in the top tier of school districts
across the state, according to results from the first Smarter Balanced
Assessment.
The
new assessment replaces previous state tests and represents a change in
learning standards. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Randy
Dorn, said the tests are more challenging but they also provide teachers
and parents better information about student learning.
"Statewide
results beat our predictions," he said. "That says to me that students
are capable of learning our new standards, which are designed to make
sure students are ready for career and college."
Tahoma
students scored well above the state average for math and English
language arts, the two subject areas that were tested last spring.
Tahoma students were among the top 10 school districts (districts with
enrollment higher than 50 students in each grade level) in grades 3, 5
and 7 in both math and ELA; overall, Tahoma students were in the top 10
percent for all grade levels among those districts. That compares
favorably to Tahoma's usual standing with other districts on state
standardized tests.
"Our
students performed well and we're pleased that the change to Smarter
Balanced Testing was successful," Superintendent Rob Morrow said. "Most
of all, we're eager to look at these assessments closely and find ways
to help our students gain a better understanding of math and language
arts. That's the whole point of the new assessments and the new learning
standards: how can we prepare students to be Future Ready?"
Parents
will receive their student's assessment results in September; teachers
will use those results to focus on areas where students need assistance.
As State Superintendent Dorn stated, the assessments are intended as a
tool to help students reach their learning goals.
"They
are the most advanced (assessments) that students have ever taken,"
Dorn said. "They measure students' progress on the learning standards,
so teachers know where students are succeeding and where they need extra
help."
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