ISTEP results show slight decline from last year

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Indianapolis, IN
Posted: 12:45 PM Dec 4, 2008
Last Updated: 6:11 PM Dec 4, 2008

12 comments

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The Indiana Department of Education says statewide student testing results show a slight decline from last year in most grades.

Overall, about 71 percent of those in grades 3-10 passed the English portion of the ISTEP exam this fall, while 74 percent passed the math section. The English passing rate was down about one percentage point from last school year, while the math passing rate held steady compared to 2007.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Suellen Reed said Thursday the overall decrease was "not statistically significant," but that educators need to continue working to improve the number of students who pass the ISTEP exam.

“Despite gains made by many local schools, the latest ISTEP+ results are disappointing from a state perspective,” said Reed in a press release issued today.

“Like an annual physical, ISTEP+ is our regular checkup of student learning. The results are in, but the true test is what will be done by parents, students and educators to turn these results around.”

It was the longtime state schools chief's last opportunity to announce the statewide results, as she leaves office in January after 16 years.

All ISTEP information, including performance data for each corporation and school, can be found online by clicking here.

Also a new ISTEP Parent Network launched today to provide parents with secure access to their student’s ISTEP scores. Families can use the network to review the latest assessment results, as well as find useful educational resources. You can find the Parent Network by clicking here.

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Posted by: Istep take 2 Location: plymouth on Mar 8, 2009 at 09:24 AM
hey give us easier tests and then grade them and they will be bettr then you have no reasons to complain

Posted by: Laura Location: Granger on Mar 6, 2009 at 06:48 AM
After hearing the morning report today regarding the difficulty children are having with the Isteps, I felt I must write in. I have 2 children who will complete this portion of the tests today (3rd & 5th grades); neither has expressed that the tests are too hard. The teachers at Prairie Vista have been diligent in their efforts to prepare the kids for the tests. They have been rigorous in providing pre-test assignments and online enrichment. The teachers have also stressed tho the kids the importance of a good night's sleep and a healthy breakfast. These are young children taking these assessments, and they have been reassured that they should relax and do their best. Prairie Vista students (PHM) consistently score very well on these test. I want to tip my hat (I'm sure there are dozens others who would enthusiasticly do the same) to the educators and administrators at PHM's Prairie Vista Elem. for providing such a positive and productive place for my children to learn.

Posted by: D Location: Plymouth on Dec 8, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Pam, There are a number of reasons why parochial school students would score better on the ISTEP. The socio-economic status and the home's valuing of an education that I referred to in a previous response are two of them. As a teacher, when I have witnessed a huge disparity in my students' performance in class, it is usually because the strong ones were either home schooled or came from a parochial school background. Sound discipline would be another factor. By the way, you meant they're better, not 'there' better.

Posted by: d on Dec 5, 2008 at 05:45 PM
Good point anon.. Laporte also already have four schools who have lost full accreditation because of test scorces. It is deffinately time to change the administration. Hey Laporte school bosrd don,t you look at these results or do you not care because you do not do anything to change it.

Posted by: Pam Location: South Bend on Dec 5, 2008 at 02:28 PM
I would love to see the scores for the parochial schools. Bet there better then all the school coporations in this area!

Posted by: anon Location: laporte on Dec 5, 2008 at 02:02 PM
Laporte parents look at the results. Our high school is lower than anytime in the past 9 years, didn,t even hit the state average. Also look at Riley elemetary it has been dropping for the past four years third grade English did not even make the state average. It is time to change the administration and some teachers at these schools. Wake up and speak.

Posted by: t Location: mishawaka on Dec 5, 2008 at 01:44 PM
You are right d, socio-economic differences plays a key role. When you work in a school that has students coming to school daily hungry, no parent supervision at night (due to choice or work), parents themselves who are uneducated, gangs and volience in the neighborhoods ( and homes), it is hard to teach a kid to read and add. These kids come to school with so many issues and a full plate everyday. Most teachers in these schools go above and beyond everyday to make a difference. It is unfair to judge them against schools in Penn district.

Posted by: d Location: Plymouth on Dec 5, 2008 at 11:10 AM
To anonymous: It's not basic math, but that doesn't excuse the SBCSC or any other school for having so many students not passing the test. The obvious reason for the disparity in scores is the socio-economic differences between the two school corporations. As a teacher, I know there is no substitute for parental involvement in the lives of students and a value of the educational process within the home and community. By the way, you, an apparently educated person, need to check your grammar (you have a sentence fragment)and your spelling of the word 'statistical' is incorrect(you said statisical).

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 09:18 AM
Look at the results for 10th graders. PHM - 85% Math / 83% English SBCSC - 51% Math / 53% English MISHAWAKA - 59% Math / 64% English. Keep in mind... This is BASIC math and BASIC English. From a factual statisical approach. Who is going to be draining our county with welfare recipients when they graduate?

Posted by: Bill Location: Granger on Dec 5, 2008 at 08:59 AM
To WNDU: Lets put the individual local schools ISTEP numbers up here and on TV to make them acountable.

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 5, 2008 at 07:12 AM
speak for yourself!

Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 4, 2008 at 08:37 PM
Indiana is a state of idiots.