The Hamilton County Department of Education / Staff file photoTEST CATEGORIES• Algebra I, II and III• Biology I• English I and II• Math• RLA (Reading Language Arts)• Science• Social Studies (new)• U.S. History (new)
Put your pencils down - Hamilton County students showed general improvement in 2013 test scores, according to a news release by the Hamilton County Department of Education.
Hamilton County students in grades 3-8 posted improved results in seven of the nine returning test categories this year, English I and II being the two exceptions.
Approximately 52.4 percent of 2013 student results were considered "proficient or advanced" after finding the average results of the nine subjects, a slight increase from 2012's rate of 49.2 percent.
"Economically challenged" students raised their average percent of proficient/advanced results by more than 3.5 percent in 2013, going from 35.2 percent to 38.8 percent average results across the nine categories.
However, the gap between economically disadvantaged students and their nondisadvantaged counterparts saw marginal change in returning tests. Economically challenged students recorded scores approximately 27.8 percent lower than nondisadvantaged students in 2013, a slight improvement from a 28.6 percent gap in 2012.
The two economic groups scored the closest in U.S. History and Social Studies, Hamilton County's new test categories in 2013. Economically disadvantaged students categorized as "proficient or advanced" scored only about 5 percent lower in U.S. history than their nondisadvantaged counterparts, a gap of 98.4- and 93.5-percent achievement rates, respectively.
Approximately 82 percent of students are "proficient or advanced" in social studies, and over 96 percent made the grade in social studies.
"Accountability data" for the school district will be released Aug. 5. This data will determine status for the district as Exemplary, Intermediate or Needs Improvement.
Contact staff writer Jeff LaFave at jlafave@times freepres.com or 423-757-6592.