The 2008-2009 Oregon Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (OAKS) and National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) math scores are now both available for comparison. Even though there was no statistical change in the progress of elementary students on either the OAKS or NAEP tests, the numbers of those students who meet or exceed minimum standards is worth notice.
OAKS math tests are administered to grades 3-8 and 10. Growth was seen in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding standards in both middle (grades 6 through 8) and high school (grade 10), but elementary school students saw no significant change from the previous school year. Seventy-seven percent of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students passed the mathematics test with basic, proficient, or advanced scores.
The NAEP (referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card”) showed no statistical change for elementary or middle school students from the previous school year. Eighty percent of 4th graders and 75% of 8th graders passed the national mathematics test with at least a basic understanding and application of concepts and skills.
Why worry? There isn’t measurable growth in the percentages of students meeting minimum requirements, but there isn’t a decreased percentage either. One must look at the breakdown within the achievement level numbers to see the problem. Nearly ¼ of 4th graders cannot meet the minimum requirements set by the state of Oregon in mathematics. One of every five Oregon 4th graders tested on the NAEP math tests could not pass with a “basic” achievement score. Of the 80% of testers who did pass the national assessment, 38% earned a “basic” (or minimum) level of achievement, 37% were labeled as proficient, and only 5% achieved an “advanced” score.
Oregon recently adopted improved content standards and assessments (K-8) in an effort to boost achievement. These new standards are meant to focus on a deeper knowledge and skills base that will help students to meet the graduation requirements for the class of 2014. Beginning with this current 8th grade class, students will need a minimum of 3 years in math Algebra I and above. The new standards adopted will help current elementary students to better prepare for a more demanding course load as high school students.
On the 2008-2009 Oregon math assessment, only 54% of 10th graders met or exceeded scores to show competency in mathematics. With these new standards and assessments put into place, what will the numbers look like in two years, in six years?
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