Stillwater’s Fifth and Eighth Graders Improve in Science Performance

Fifth and eighth grade students' proficiency rates soared to new heights in the state's science assessment while the high school's math scores made the biggest jump ever recorded at the school, according to school district officials. 

Officials attribute the gains in MCA test scores, in part, to its focus on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). 

“Some of the best news from this year’s state assessments comes from our science scores,” said Chris Balow, the district’s coordinator of assessments and evaluation. “Our elementary and junior high students performed significantly above their peers across the state. We attribute much of this success to our focus on STEM for all of our students — starting in kindergarten and into high school.”

The MCA tests measure students’ progress toward state academic standards in science, mathematics and reading as required by federal guidelines. Students took the tests in the spring. Students in grades three through eight completed the MCA tests in reading and math, 10th graders took a reading test and 11th graders also took a mathematics test. Science tests were given to students in fifth and eighth grade, as well as to high school students upon completion of a life science course.

While Stillwater students performed above the state average on all three tests, district leaders noted there are some areas where students need to improve.

In science, 61 percent of Stillwater’s students were proficient compared to 52 percent at the state level. Growth levels from last year to this year for Stillwater fifth graders were three times higher than the state average, and eighth graders grew at levels nearly double that of their peers. The number of high school students proficient on this year’s exam, however, dropped this year compared to last.

In its third year, the state’s math test underwent a change in how it was administered. Last year students could take the math exam up to three times and report only their highest score. This year students could only take the test once, which the school district attributes the declines in scores to across the state, including Stillwater. In math, 73 percent of the district’s students were proficient compared to approximately 61 percent statewide.

At the Stillwater Area High School, performance on the math test grew by 16 percent this year over last. Balow credits this increase to math teachers who have changed their instructional delivery and updated curriculum. 

A new reading assessment was given to students across the state for the first time this year. This test was based on the Common Core State Standards, which are considered more rigorous and require a deeper depth of knowledge. Scores across the state were lower on the new test than on previous reading MCA assessments. Scores in Stillwater dropped, but at 70 percent proficient, Stillwater students still performed significantly above the state average of 58 percent.

“It’s a new test, measuring new standards,” Balow said, “and these results cannot be compared to previous years. This year’s scores set a new baseline for us to look to in future years. Results, however, do show a need for us to invigorate literacy efforts based on the higher expectations of our new state standards.”

District administrators and teachers will spend more time in the coming weeks to explore the data to better understand how students are performing, particularly students from the various sub-groups. As part of the new Bridge to Excellence plan for the district, staff will also be evaluating the current curriculum to ensure it is aligned with the standards and make any necessary changes. A new Teaching and Learning model is also being implemented as part of Bridge to Excellence to provide more support to teachers to help them incorporate best practice instructional methods into the classroom to better meet students’ needs.

“We have exceptional students in Stillwater and they continue to perform well,” said Superintendent Corey Lunn. “However, this year’s test results point out what we feared may be happening - as budgets are cut and support for students and teachers has diminished, achievement has been impacted. With our new Bridge to Excellence plan, and the support of our community, we expect this decline will be reversed and we will see all of our students make gains and reach the learning targets established for them.”

More information about student achievement results will be shared as part of the Stillwater Area Public School’s Annual Shareholders Report, which will be available this fall on the district’s website at www.stillwaterschools.org