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What to do about math – and science

Aug 3, 2007

Reading is fine, writing is fine, social studies is fine – in fact the Kemp school district would have been recognized and close to exemplary if only those TAKS scores were counted.

The problem, as it was in districts across the state and county, was math and little bit of science.

The district was ranked academically acceptable. The Texas Education Agency released the rankings passed mostly on the scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Wednesday.

“We went up in every area we just didn’t go up enough,” said Superintendent Peter Running.

In math, 71 percent passed math, close to recognized status. But only 66 percent of Hispanics and economically disadvantaged students passed the test.

In science, 74 percent passed by only 67 percent of disadvantaged students passed.

The state requires that all “subpopulations” – white, black, Hispanic and black students – all meet the standard for a particular ranking. For recognized ranking 75 percent overall and of each subpopulation must pass the test. Exemplary ranking requires that 90 percent in each group and overall pass the tests.

For an academically acceptable ranking, 65 percent must pass reading, writing and social studies, 45 percent pass math and 40 percent pass science.

Results at the high school were similar. However on 56 percent passed math and only 69 percent passed science.

The passing rates among several subgroups were worse. Only 46 percent of disadvantaged passed and only 42 percent of blacks. However, that group didn’t count towards the ranking because there are too few students.

In science, only 56 percent of disadvantaged students passed.

Dr. Running said “devastating circumstances” contributed to low math passing rates. “We lost a math teacher in the first semester and weren’t able to replace the teacher with a certified teacher until second semester. That hurts the students.”

The primary and intermediate schools both are recognized and math and science scores are substantially better there.

Dr. Running said the district is planning new programs next year, hoping to improve performance.

Complete results are available at the TEA’s Web site www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2007/index.html.