NEW: RIDE Reports RI NECAP Scores Among Tops in Region

GoLocalProv News Team

NEW: RIDE Reports RI NECAP Scores Among Tops in Region

The Rhode Island Department of Education reported today that Rhode Island's high-schoolers are performing well against peers across New England--and have improved their scores overall since last year.

81% of the state's grade 11 students scored proficient or above in reading, a 2-point improvement over last year. That also represents the highest high-school scores in reading across New England. High schoolers also placed highest amongst NECAP states in writing, with 66% achieving proficiency of higher.

While only 36% of 11th graders reached proficiency in mathematics, that score also represents a 2-point bump from last year.

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Governor Chafee saluted schools for the improvement. “I want to congratulate Rhode Island teachers and students on their strong performance on statewide assessments, especially in the high-school grades,” said Governor Lincoln D. Chafee. “These results show that we are on the right course, and I am confident our students will continue to show improvement in the years to come.”

The middle and elementary school level saw similarly strong results in writing, with 60% achieving sufficiency, also at the top of the NECAP states.

Proud of Progress, Hoping for Further Improvement

While the achievement gap between low income students and other Rhode Island students has been narrowed in both mathematics and reading, achievement gaps amongst ethnic and racial groups remained unchanged. Gaps between students with disabilities and other students, as well as between English-learners and other students, have continued to widen.

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), which released the results, were proud of the results while cognizant of the progress yet to be made. “The progress our students and teachers have made, especially at the high-school level, is powerful evidence that all students can succeed when we maintain high expectations and when we provide resources and support to advance teaching and learning,” said Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Though we know a lot of work remains ahead, as we strive to close achievement gaps and to maintain and expand proficiency levels across the state, Rhode Islanders should be proud of how far we have come over the past five years.”

For a complete index of the results, including results broken down by district or by school, click HERE. And for more of GoLocal's coverage of the NECAP, previous results, or the debates surrounding the test, check out the Related Articles below.


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