CRCT scores create concern; surpass most state averages

It appears as if there is a distinct gap between teaching and testing, especially when it comes to the Criterion Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT).

Generally, a few points here and there are no cause for alarm, but it could be another matter entirely for students in grades 3, 5, and 8, who must pass the Reading, Language Arts, and Mathematics sections of the CRCT in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

The promotion/retention policy, based on CRCT results, was adopted by the Georgia Board of Education in 2002.

A comparison of the projected scores for the state and Lincoln County eighth-graders is a mixed bag. In reading, the state average increased from 88.5 (percentile of first-time test takers passing the test) in 2007 to 90.6 in 2008. Local scores followed suit, climbing from 89 in 2007 to 90 in 2008.

In language arts, the state scores rose slightly from 88.3 to 89.4 for 2007 and 2008, respectively; whereas, the average scores posted by students at LCMS dropped from 92 in 2007 to 88 in 2008.

In math, science, and social studies Lincoln County eighth-graders beat the state average. The average scores for the three subject areas were: Math - the state, 62.2, and LCMS, 76; Science - the state, 59.7, and LCMS, 76; and Social Studies - the state, 58.9, and LCMS, 64.

Regarding the students in grades 3 and 5, the test results were as follows:

Third Grade: Math - the state, 70.9, and LCES, 62; Reading - the state, 85 in 2007 and 87.5 in 2008, and LCES, 93 both years; Language Arts - 85.7 in 2007 and 87.1 in 2008, and LCES, 93 both years; and Science - the state, 70.1 in 2007 and 74.6 in 2008, and LCES, 81 in 2007 and 84 in 2008.

Fifth Grade: Math - the state, 71.8 and LCES, 63; Reading - the state, 85.5 in 2007 and 87.2 in 2008, and LCES, 90 in 2007 and 96 in 2008; Language Arts - the state, 87.7 in 2007 and 90 in 2008, and LCES, 96 in 2007 and 98 in 2008; and Science - the state, 66.7 in 2007 and 71.3 in 2008, and LCES, 70 in 2007 and 66 in 2008.

Both the third-graders and the fifthgraders at LCES surpassed the state average in every area except math.

"In looking at our math scores this year compared to last year, we see a dramatic decrease in the percentage of students passing the test at each of the promotion criteria levels (third, fifth, and eighth grades)," said Joe Willis, Lincoln County's assistant superintendent for curriculum. "The reason for this is changes in the math curriculum that were implemented and tested just this year.

"For example, in the eighth grade, algebra is a major component of the curriculum under the new Georgia Performance Standards (GPS); whereas, in the past, algebra was only taught to the more advanced math students. Anytime there is a complete change in curriculum, schools will experience a decrease in assessment scores.

"Even so, when we compare our scores to the statewide scores, we can be proud of the job our students and teachers have done," stated Willis. "Statewide, only 60 percent of the students passed the math section of the eighth-grade CRCT - we had a passing average of 76 percent here in Lincoln County."

In other comments, the assistant superintendent noted that the 2008 CRCT was more rigorous than the 2007 test in the areas of math, science, and social studies.

"While science and social studies are not presently factored into the promotion criteria, we did see a big decline in the passing rate for these two subjects when compared to last year," said Willis. "Once again, this is due to the curriculum changes for these two subjects, which were ac- cessed just this year."

As far as summer school and CRCT remediation initiatives are concerned, the assistant superintendent reported that the number of Lincoln County students currently participating in these programs remains consistent with the totals for previous years.

At the state level, Dana Toflig, director of communications for the Georgia Department of Education, commented, "The overall news is good. In areas where the new curriculum has been implemented for more than one year, we are seeing steady improvement at the state level."

The state began phasing in the Georgia Performance Standards in 2006, after an audit concluded that the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC), in use at the time, not only lacked depth and could not be covered in a reasonable amount of time but failed to meet national standards.

The new performance standards incorporate the QCC's content standard, which simply tells the teacher what a student is expected to know, but expands upon it by providing three additional items: suggested tasks, sample student work, and teacher commentary on that work. The performance standards offer clear expectations for assessment, instruction, and student work.

In turn, statewide assessments, such as the CRCT for grades 1-8 and the Georgia High School Graduation Test for eleventh-graders, have been aligned with the Georgia Performance Standards, with the goal of taking the guesswork out of teaching.

The GPS curriculum is more focused in terms of thematic units. Instead of teaching from a textbook, teachers have to zero in on the performance standards.

Concerning other CRCT results, Kathy Cox, state superintendent of schools, invalidated social studies scores for students in grades six and seven due to alignment issues between the test and the curriculum. Approximately 28 percent of sixthgraders and only 24.3 percent of seventh graders passed the Social Studies CRCT statewide.

However, the math scores stand. The state school superintendent explained that tougher standards are needed to prepare students for life after graduation.

"Previously, only a fraction of our students took algebra or geometry in middle school," said Superintendent Cox. "Now, every student is being exposed to algebra and geometry as well as statistics by the time he finishes the eighth grade. This is right in line with what a panel of national experts said is the best way to teach math to our students."

Referring to the eighth-grade math scores, the state superintendent said, "The results may be a surprise to some, but these figures are generally in line with what we have seen as we have transitioned to tests aligned to the new curriculum. The scores are also in line with what we are seeing at the national level.

"For instance, in 2007, about 64 percent of Georgia's eighth-graders scored at basic levels or above on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), an exam given to a representative sample of students in each state.

"I'm confident that our results will only improve with the passing years, just as they have in other grades," continued Cox. "Two years ago, 62 percent of our sixth-graders passed the Math CRCT; this year, the pass rate was close 69.3 percent.

"While this subject is charged with emotion, we must keep our eye on the bigger picture. Our job in public education is to prepare our students to be successful in life after they graduate. While it would be easier to set the bar low and feel good about the results, such an attitude would be a disservice to our students."

In conclusion, Superintendent Cox said, "We must send the message to our students - loud and clear - that we expect them to learn at high levels and that we know they can do it."