2002 End of Grade Tests: Scores Rise, Achievement Gap Narrows
Nearly 90 Percent of Wake Students Score At-or-Above Grade Level on State End-of-Grade Tests
July 24, 2002 - Wake County students continued to improve their results on the N.C. End of Grade (EOG) tests with the highest number of students scoring at or above grade level ever achieved locally, Wake Superintendent Bill McNeal announced today.
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In reading, the percentage of students who scored Levels III or IV rose from 86 percent in 2001 to 88 percent in 2002, and the achievement gap narrowed as the percentage for African American students rose from 67 percent to 72 percent, and the percentage for Latino students rose from 72 to 74 percent. The percentage for white students rose from 94 to 95 percent.
In math, the percentage of Wake students who scored at Levels III or IV rose from 89 percent in 2001 to 91 percent in 2002, and the achievement gap narrowed as the percentage for African American students rose from 71 to 77 percent, and the percentage for Latino students rose from 79 to 83 percent. The percentage for white students rose from 96 to 97.
"I want to congratulate our children for their hard work and the success that our teachers are helping them to achieve in the classroom," Superintendent McNeal told a news conference at Hodge Road Elementary. "We've found ways to challenge and support our children, and we've had great support from volunteers, business leaders, churches, and others who believe in the power of public education."
EOG tests are a key component to calculating each local school's overall performance in The ABCs of Public Education, the statewide school accountability program. Those results are expected to be released in September. EOG results are also the measure tied to the Wake County Board of Education's goal of raising student achievement to 95 percent at grade level by 2003.
Hodge Road Elementary is one of several schools where students made tremendous strides. The percent of the school's third grade to score a Level III or IV on reading rose from 77.2 in 2001 to 82.4 in 2002, while the percent of third graders to score Level III or IV in math rose from 72.0 in 2001 to 84.6 in 2002. The percent of fourth graders at or above grade level in reading went from 75.7 in 2001 to 82.0 and in math scores from 85.2 to 98.4. Hodge Road Elementary has helped to pilot the Project Achieve instruction program.
Another school where students enjoyed great success was Swift Creek Elementary. The percent of the schools third grade to score a Level III or IV on reading rose from 76.3 in 2001 to 90.1 in 2002, while the percent of third graders to score Level III or IV in math rose from 71.1 in 2001 to 88.7 in 2002. The percent of fifth graders at or above grade level in reading went from 82.1 in 2001 to 92.8 and in math scores from 79.4 to 95.2.
"Our administrators and teachers have found instructional tools which are making a difference with our students," McNeal said. "Tools such as the Accelerated Learning Program which provides students extra instruction in classes of ten or fewer students, or Project Achieve, with its focus lessons and testing that help all students understand basic concepts, are helping more and more students achieve success."
More than 90 percent of students scored at or above grade level in reading in grades 5-8. More than 90 percent of students scored at or above grade level in math in grades 4-7. More than 85 percent of students scored at or above grade level in both reading and math in all grade levels except for grade 6 reading. No grade level showed a decrease.
Dr. Karen Banks, assistant superintendent for evaluation and research, explained that the state's EOG tests are designed to measure student achievement of the knowledge and skills of the N.C. Standard Course of Study. The multiple-choice tests are required in reading and math.
Progress: 1998 - 2002Numbers indicate the percent of Wake students scoring at or above grade level on state End of Grade tests. Reading
Math
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The following are the EOG achievement levels and what they mean:
Level I - the student does not have sufficient mastery of knowledge and skills to be successful at the next grade level;
Level II - the student demonstrates inconsistent mastery of knowledge and skills in this subject area and is minimally prepared to be successful at the next grade level;
Level III - the student consistently demonstrates mastery of grade level subject matter and skills and is well prepared for the grade level;
Level IV - the student consistently performs in a superior manner clearly beyond that required to be proficient at grade-level work.
Banks noted Wake students have made tremendous strides in the last five years (see sidebar).
"One of the particularly exciting things about these results is that we not only showed progress in helping more students reach grade level standards, but we also have shown steady increases in the percentage of our students reaching Level IV, which is the very highest level," said Banks. "We want all students to succeed, and we want all students to be challenged to reach their highest potential."