WALLA WALLA -- State Superintendent Chris Reykdal released results of the most recent state tests on Thursday, September 13. A total of 2,990 Walla Walla Public Schools students completed the English Language Arts and math exams, and 1,289 participated in the new Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science during the April and May state testing window last spring.
The tests administered included:
While Walla Walla Public Schools reading and math assessment results still lag behind statewide averages, the recently-released data reveal positive trends in cohort results.
Examination of cohort data, following the same group of students from one year to the next, shows strong student growth, particularly in English Language Arts. This year’s 3rd to 4th and 4th to 5th grade cohorts showed an average growth of 8% in ELA scores. At the middle school level, the 6th to 7th grade cohort ELA scores increased by approximately 8%, and math scores improved by 6%. Eighth grade also revealed improvement over prior years’ results. With math lagging in comparison at the elementary grades with respect to cohort growth, classroom teachers are in the process of analyzing standards and implementing interventions to ensure students master the grade level content.
High school students are also administered the SBA assessment, last year being the first year sophomore students took the SBA, previously taken as juniors. While high school ELA and math scores were below the state average, science students scored 15% above their state-wide counterparts.
The district’s Strategic Plan calls for adopting better aligned instructional materials to support high quality instruction. In the Spring of 2017 new K-5 Language Arts materials were adopted, and in the Spring of 2018 new 6-12 materials were also acquired. These curricular improvements provide teachers and students with rigorous literacy materials, aligned to state standards and provide all students access to Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This year’s ELA cohort growth shows the promise of these new materials. Similarly, the middle school math materials also adopted in 2017, focus on building deep conceptual mathematics understanding and help teachers focus on the learning that is most essential at each grade level.
“Looking ahead, we expect math cohort data will increase, similar to ELA, as teachers collaborate around instructional practices to respond to student data, and new materials for K-5 are addressed in the next year,” said Christy Krutulis, Executive Director of Teaching and Learning.
For a complete look at all district state assessment information, visit the OSPI school report card:
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