SAD 44 test scores improve
Superintendent David Murphy said the elementary testing shows that the district is continuing its aim to improve.
Many scores jumped as much as 10 to 13 points over last year's results, including sixth-grade math, from 638 to 648, surpassing the Maine average for this year of 643. Also up considerably is seventh-grade math, fourth-grade reading, and seventh-grade reading. Nearly every other district score gained a couple of points over last year, with most equaling or surpassing the Maine average.
However, that doesn't mean the district will be complacent.
Murphy said district administrators will soon begin taking a closer look at individual scores for particular skills so that specific knowledge can be addressed in the classroom.
Math scores at Telstar Middle School improved more than nearly any other grade level or subject. That could be because of a new approach to teaching math that began at the beginning of the last school year. Title I funds as well as grants were used to target math weaknesses, then work to improve them.
Murphy also said that scores can sometimes vary widely from year to year because of the small number of pupils in his district, which now educates about 900 youngsters.
“We're pleased but not content. We want to continue to see gain and consistency across all grade levels,” he said.
Comparisons with the state average:
Grade 3 math: Grade 3 reading:
District – 350 District - 345
State – 348 State - 345
Grade 4 math: Grade 4 reading:
District – 447 District - 450
State – 446 State - 446
Grade 5 math: Grade 5 reading:
District – 545 District - 545
State – 547 State – 546
Grade 6 math: Grade 6 reading:
District – 648 District - 650
State – 643 State - 647
Grade 7 math: Grade 7 reading:
District – 746 District - 753
State – 745 State - 751
Grade 8 math: Grade 8 reading:
District – 839 District - 848
State – 843 State – 850
