Minority and low-income students in grades three through eight fall below the rest of Missouri’s student population in standardized test scores by 12% to 15%. Missouri Department of Education spokesperson Nancy Bowles says officials continue to focus on closing the performance difference.
“The achievement gap has not narrowed. The good news with that is that as all student scores rise, the super subgroup scores also rise,” says Bowles. “I guess I would say it’s not getting narrower, but it’s not getting wider.”
Missouri students are most proficient in English and social studies. Overall results show that about 63% of students passed their statewide standardized tests in those subjects. About 52% passed the science exam and 49% are proficient in math. The results show about a 5% decline in science performance among fifth graders and a nearly 2% drop among eighth graders from last year.
High school students fared better this year in end-of-course testing in English and Algebra, compared to last year. However, their test scores dropped in biology and American government.
The Missouri Department of Education used a new testing system this year. Officials say all other 2016 scores can’t be compared to previous years.
