JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri student test scores stayed flat in English and increased slightly in math on annual exams taken in the spring.
Math scores have rebounded from a pandemic learning loss, while English scores have yet to catch up, according to Missouri Assessment Program results from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
In both subjects, 44% of students in third through 12th grades tested proficient or advanced, indicating an independent mastery of the subject matter. The proficiency rate last year was 44% in English and 42% in math.
“I’m not saying it’s depressing, but I think we were all hoping we would see more growth,†said Pamela Westbrooks-Hodge, a member of the state board of education from Pasadena Hills.
In 2019, 49% of students reached the same level in English while 41% hit the mark in math, prior to the disruption of classroom learning by the pandemic.
Science scores have nearly reached their pre-pandemic numbers, with 40% of students testing proficient or above compared to 41% in 2019.
State Education Commissioner Karla Eslinger said she was not satisfied with fewer than half of Missouri students hitting proficiency goals.
“Are we where we need to be? Absolutely not. Are we comfortable, no, but we absolutely want to show that the things that are in place right now, we’re seeing a little bit of a trend up,†Eslinger told the state board at its monthly meeting Tuesday.
Eslinger said the biggest factors on student achievement are attendance, literacy rates and having certified teachers in every classroom.
“We have school districts with 49% attendance and that, to me, is not acceptable,†Eslinger said. “So, we’ve got to do something about attendance.â€
Nearly half of Missouri students fall into categories that historically have lagged behind in test scores: English-language learners, low-income, special needs and Black or Hispanic students.
Students in the at-risk categories scored proficiency rates of 27% in English and 24% in math, compared to all other students at 60% in English and 59% in math.
More detailed test score results at the district and individual school level are expected to be released in the fall.
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