The Missouri Department of Education has released testing results that show minority and low-income students scored 13% lower when compared to the performance for all students, statewide.

Sarah Potter

Sarah Potter

Spokeswoman Sarah Potter told Missourinet the achievement gap is a continuing issue in Missouri.

“In general, what we are seeing is that the achievement gap continues in this new set of data, as we’ve seen in the past. The gap gives us a metric by which to say this is an area where we really need to focus and we need to catch up,” said Potter.

Potter said curriculum reviews in struggling districts aim to close the achievement gap.

“Our staff at the department would actually take a close look and say this is where you really need to change some things to improve your curriculum. So, it’s things like that at the state level that we can do to support and help those local educators actually improve districts and help them close the gap.”

The assessment covered English, math, science, and social studies for grades three through eight.

The Department of Education released a week ago a report that revealed proficiency data for students in grades three through eight. The report said 60% of Missouri students are proficient in English, while only 28-52% of students are proficient in Math.

A new testing system was used this year for Missouri students, and the testing standards could be changed again next year.