AUBURN – Compared to one year ago, Auburn schools’ test scores for grades three through eight are up in nine of 12 categories.

“They show steady progress,” said interim Superintendent Tom Morrill.

But the same test data also shows scores fall below state averages in eight out of 12 categories.

That could be better, Morrill said.

The Maine Educational Assessment tests were given last year. The results were given to the Auburn School Committee on Wednesday night.

Data shows that reading scores for grades three, four, five, seven and eight are below state averages. For instance, 62 percent of third-graders met or exceeded expected scores, compared to 65 percent statewide. Meanwhile grade six exceeded the state average, with 70 percent meeting or exceeding goals, compared to 65 percent statewide.

In math, grades three, four, and eight scored below state average, while grades five, six and seven scored higher. For instance, 64 percent of grade five met or exceeded standards, compared to the state average of 60 percent.

Morrill said he’s pleased with the overall scores. “People are working hard. But we’re not satisfied. It’s like Tom Brady. Sure we did well, but we can do better. We’re not going to be satisfied until everyone gets to the goals. But in a marathon you don’t have to win every mile.”

Every school made what’s called “adequate yearly progress.” All but one made adequate yearly progress for subgroups of students.

That school, Sherwood Heights, did not make adequate yearly progress for a subgroup of students with disabilities. Under President Bush’s No Child Left Behind law, if that is not improved next year, Sherwood Heights would go on a “needs improvement” category. That is a kind of red flag no school wants, as happened this year with Lewiston’s Montello School this year.

According to Morrill, the MEA scores help provide diagnostic information about student learning, allowing teachers to work toward improving student performance. “What it also shows is the individual intervention that they’ve been initiating, and changes in curriculum that show some improvement. It also shows areas where we’re not done,” Morrill said.

School Committee member Lane Feldman asked about areas where Auburn students lagged behind state averages. Shelly Mogul, assistant director of the office of learning and teaching, said Auburn is working to boost scores.

Committee member Thomas Kendall asked what school committee members can do to support student achievement.

Mogul said she’s just received the data. More time is needed before determining “what our next steps are,” she said.

Popular programs

In other business, John Cook of the Lewiston Regional Technical Center, which some Edward Little students attend, said most EL students were able to get into programs they wanted. Only a handful could not because they were full.

Programs that continue to be popular, Cook said, are automotive, culinary arts and health care. “And because of the (television) show CSI, law enforcement,” Cook said.

Committee members asked how could, for instance, the automotive program be expanded to enroll more students.

Cook said there’s no room to expand at the campus at Lewiston High School. A new culinary arts building will soon break ground across from the high school. When that building is complete, more students can enroll in that program, he said.

Committee member Raymond Berube said it’s too bad more students can’t take LRTC programs. His son went to a technical center in high school. He did not go to college and is now building houses. “He’s doing very well. He’s making six figures,” Berube said. “It’s unfortunate more kids can’t benefit.”

Committee members listened to a report on a proposal from Siemen’s about making energy efficiency improvements in Auburn schools. The School Department would take out a loan for the improvements, then pay back the loan through energy savings, Brent Dudley explained.

Before making any decision, committee member Bonnie Hayes said she needs to see the specific costs and savings.