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Cape schools show mixed results in statewide testing

SAT test shows one-third of juniors proficient in math
August 31, 2016

In the first year of using the SAT as the statewide test for Delaware juniors, just over half of Cape juniors scored proficient in English while only a third were proficient in math.

The Delaware State Board of Education set a score of at least 480 for English and 530 for math to be considered proficient on the revised SAT, used for the first time in 2016.

The winners in statewide SAT testing were charter and vo-tech schools. Of 38 high schools tested, Sussex Academy – with 34 students in its first-ever junior class – was second in the state in English with 90 percent proficiency and Sussex Tech was fifth in the state with 72 percent. Cape juniors were in the top third with 56 percent proficiency.

In math, Sussex Academy was fourth in the state with 54 percent proficiency; Sussex Tech was sixth with 45 percent; and Cape was 12th with 34 percent.

Elementary students in grades 3 to 5 were tested in English and math using the Smarter Balanced test introduced in 2015, while fifth-, eighth- and 10th-graders were tested in science using the Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System. Fourth- and seventh-graders also used the DCAS test for social studies.

All Cape elementaries posted improvements from 2015 scores, with a few exceptions.

Among district schools, Rehoboth Elementary posted the best results for the first time in fifth-grade English with 83 percent proficient and fourth-grade English with 76 percent. Milton Elementary's fifth-graders were tops in science with 83 percent proficient. Shields Elementary students were no less than 72 proficient in any test category and 80 percent or more in most.

H.O. Brittingham improved in nearly all other categories and 60 percent of HOB fourth-graders were proficient in social studies. Overall, only half or fewer students were considered proficient.

Beacon and Mariner middle scores posted similar gains. Beacon, which draws students from Rehoboth and Shields elementaries, improved in six of eight content areas by grade while Mariner, which draws from Milton and HOB, improved in four.

Sussex Academy middle schoolers scored among the top in the state with results mostly in the 90 percent range.

State officials acknowledged in July that more work was needed to bring up test scores.

In Cape Henlopen School District, Superintendent Robert Fulton agreed.

“We are pleased overall with our state assessment results, but understand that we have specific areas that can be improved within each of our schools,” he said.

In an interview before 2016 state results were released, new H.O. Brittingham Principal Ned Gladfelter noted that although HOB is routinely outperformed by Cape's three other elementaries, he said, when HOB is compared to schools with comparable demographics, HOB's results are strong.

“When you look at state English scores, HOB is outperforming,” he said.

Still, Gladfelter said he hopes to improve reading skills by partnering with the Delaware Early Literacy Initiative and support teachers of English Language Learners through the Southern Delaware Professional Development Center.

School board member Jessica Tyndall, who represents Milton, said she supports the two new principals who were hired to head HOB and Milton.

“This is a brand-new year, and we have new leadership and have hired great new teachers to join our current teachers,” she said. “We have a strong team.”

Board member Jen Burton balks at emphasis placed on test scores by state officials. She said Rehoboth's slight edge over Shields in two English categories is great but it could have more to do with the number of students who took the test.

“I don't think it has anything to do with a lack of instruction. It has a lot to do with the pockets of poverty we have,” she said.

In the four years she has served on the board, Burton said, Cape schools have focused on helping students through response to intervention study groups and individualized attention.

“We have put more resources in for kids who need it,” Burton said. “I really don't think the test scores are representative of what our schools and leaders are doing.”

 

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