April 19, 2024

Students show improvement in many areas of Iowa Assessments

By AMY HANSEN

OST photo by AMY HANSEN Pictured are Clarke Community High School sophomore Amanda Kindred holding a poster of her grade's test results from the Iowa Assessments test. The class posters have been displayed in the hallways at the high school.

The results are in.

Clarke Community High School has received the Iowa Assessments test scores students took in April.

In many of the testing areas, including reading, math and science, students showed growth.

“They worked really hard. We practiced a lot and the kids did what they needed to do,” Becky Jones-Webb, Clarke Community High School English and reading teacher.

Ninth grade results

In ninth grade reading, students were 78.9 percent proficient this year. Last year, in eighth grade, they were 63 percent proficient. This is a 15.9 percent growth.

In ninth grade math, students were 84.6 percent proficient this year. They were 80 percent proficient last year, which means a 4.6 percent growth.

In ninth grade science, students were 73.63 proficient this year. They were 67.02 percent proficient last year, which means a 6.61 percent growth.

10th grade results

Tenth-grade students also made improvements in the areas of reading and math.

In 10th grade reading, students were 76.9 percent proficient this year. Last year, in ninth grade, they were 63.9 percent proficient. This is a 13 percent growth.

In 10th grade math, students were 76 percent proficient this year. They were 70.1 percent proficient last year, which means an almost 6 percent growth.

“They had to really decide they were going to do it and we practiced it not just in English class, but social studies, science, everywhere,” Jones-Webb said. “They practiced the same skills over and over and over. So, I think that’s probably the key.”

In 10th grade science, students were 72.12 percent proficient this year. However, last year, they were 78.57 percent proficient, which means a loss of 6.45 percent in proficiency.

11th grade results

In 11th grade reading, students were 73.7 percent proficient this year. However, last year, in 10th grade, they were 85.9 percent proficient. This means a loss of 12.2 percent in proficiency.

In 11th grade math, students were 85.5 percent proficient this year. They were 79.5 percent proficient last year, which means a growth of 6 percent.

In 11th grade science, students were 80.26 percent proficient. However, last year, they were 82.05 percent proficient. This means a loss of 1.79 percent in proficiency.

“I’m proud of the test scores,” said said Clarke Community High School Principal Kim Antisdel. “Are we where we want to be? No. But, I think it’s important to show growth.”