called into question by several

called into question by several Virginia school systems, and were pending final approval from the state.

“I have difficulty commenting on scores that I’m not convinced are reliable,” , said Chappell last Friday.

The biggest surprise for educators was that student performance in grade-6 and grade-7 mathematics was significantly lower than previous years scores in grades 5 and 8.

“Math has been a strength at the school while I have been here,” said Johnson “We’ve always done historically well in the testing scores.”

The scoring numbers are based on percentage of students that passed. RCES mathematics scores for the 2003-2004 AYP testing period was at 86, increasing to 89 the following year. This year’s mathematics score for all RCES, students currently stands at 65.

The scores for grades that were previously tested scored well this year, with thirdgraders scoring 84, fifthgraders scoring 84, and eighth-graders scoring 83.

The new grades that were tested were considerably lower in mathematics. Fourth-graders scored a 74, sixth-graders scored 15, and seventh-graders scored 2.

According to a press release from the Virginia Department of Education, the grade-6 and grade-7 mathematics assessments tested deeply into content that is designed to prepare students for success in Algebra I in the eighth grade.

The new eighth-grade mathematics test also was more rigorous than the previously administered cumulative grade-8 test, which surveyed knowledge of three years of SOL content.

Statewide

results drop

Low scores such as these were recorded throughout the state, which has led many superintendents and educators to question the testing process.

Throughout the state, 76 percent of students passed the math tests, down from 84 percent the previous year. Fifty-one percent of the stu