Math scores disappoint

Math scores disappoint; teachers seek new approach

March 21, 2000

By Matt Gleckman

More than half of Colorado’s fifth-grade students were less than proficient in their math skills, according to the most recent set of Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) test scores, and Cortez is no exception.

The most recent data, sent to the Re-1 district schools last week, shows that only 31 percent of Cortez students were at or above the proficient level following the 1999 math assessment administered last fall. Forty-seven percent of students were at or above the proficient level for math statewide.

Vic Bruce

"This is the first year that the fifth-graders have taken the test," said Vic Bruce, Re-1’s assistant superintendent. "Now that we know where we stand, we can put together a plan in order to get the necessary growth."

Lewis-Arriola Elementary School finished the highest of the Cortez schools with 42 percent of its students scoring at or above math proficiency. Kemper followed with 36 percent, Manaugh scored 28 percent, Mesa finished with 26 percent and 17 percent of Downey’s students were at or above the proficient level.

It should be noted, said Bruce, that the schools that scored the highest also did well on the 1999 reading assessment.

"Math is tied to reading and if the students can’t read the math questions, then they are not going to do well on the test," Bruce said. "It is a never-ending question and a never-ending dilemma.

"Our schools must look at the overall education package. We have to offer the students an education that will allow them to become a part of society — that goes beyond the CSAP test," he said.

For Re-1, 33 percent of the boys scored at or above proficiency, while 28 percent of the girls scored at that level. Forty percent of white students scored at or above the proficiency, versus 19 percent of Hispanic students and eight percent of American Indian students.

Although it’s not very timely, said Bruce, a group of Cortez teachers will be attending a CSAP workshop in Grand Junction on April 27 to learn how the CSAP test is made up, as well as new techniques for improving their student’s math and science scores.

With so much emphasis placed on the CSAP test, Colorado is going to become a data-driven educational system, Bruce said.

Should Gov. Bill Owens’ education-reform package (SB 186) pass, schools will either have to show a 15 percent improvement from the previous year’s test scores, or reach the 80 percent student-proficiency benchmark.

"When the CSAP test first came out, it was supposed to be used as a snapshot of the entire state," said Bruce. "Each year a different set of students was taking the test. If we are going to measure improvement then we need to follow the same group of students.

"All of the Cortez schools need improvement," Bruce said, "but each school is going to have to look at its own data and come up with a plan that suits them."