Link here.
According to the release, 177 WHS students took the ACT. The average score in English was 18.55; mathematics' average was 20.66; reading's average was 19.97; and the average in science was 20.47.
Only nine states, including North Dakota, tested 98-100 percent of high school students. Of the nine states, North Dakota's composite score of 20.7 is the second highest, missing by .2 points to Illinois, who scored 20.9.
This is key:
“The results, while lower than in previous years, reflect the abilities of all North Dakota graduates, not just a select few college-bound students,” State Superintendent Dr. Wayne G. Sanstead said.
All students take the test; that is very, very impressive.
ND always has higher than average scores going back 30+ years. NCLB hasn't changed that.
ReplyDeleteThe sad part of NCLB is that teachers are now just focusing on teaching what the kids need to know to pass the tests, nothing more. They could teach more but there's frankly not enough time to do so. That's why you get kids who can recite facts just fine, they can take a test and ace it but these tests aren't good measurements of knowledge.
Ask a kid what the three branches of the US government are and they might be able to tell you, ask them how all three interact and you'll be lucky if 2% can give you a correct answer.
I agree with you 100%.
ReplyDeleteI substitute teach middle school and high school. Very inefficient.
But I enjoy it, and, to some extent, one can meet state objectives while still teaching a bit extra for those who want more.