Appendix N | In-‐Depth Study (Language Arts)
Figure 4:
Language scores for 1st grade have been hovering in the high 60s to mid-70s for the past five years, equivalent to a stanine of 6 (high average), while 2nd grade has been showing a downward trend, with a low of 48, except in the past two years where the score has been in the upper 60s. Second grade stanines have ranged from 5 to 6 (average to high average). Language scores in 3rd to 5th grade have been showing a downward trend, except for an increase in 3rd and 4th grade last school year. The scores have ranged from 28 to 59, equivalent to stanines of 4 to 5 (average). Sixth grade Language scores have stayed at 58 for the past 3 years, while 7th and 8th grade have been showing a decrease except for last school year. Scores for middle school students have ranged from 53 to 68, equivalent to stanines of 5 to 6 (average to high average). Intermediate grades have consistently shown the lowest performance and a downward trend for the last five years. Data from Appendix B-3 also show that there is an increasing number of students scoring in the bottom quartile for these grades. The school, particularly the Language Arts department, is working to identify possible causes of the trend. In an effort to determine if the way tests were taken is a factor, last school year 3rd grade made a change from separate answer sheets to answering directly on the test booklet. The results showed a marked increase of scores in Reading, Language as well as all subtests. WCEA ISL 2010
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