Test Scores

The NJ state Board of Education recently changed the so-called "cut scores" for proficiency and advanced proficiency in grades 5-8, in language arts and math. Before the change, a score of 33%-46% was considered "proficient." The new cutoffs are:

6th Grade Language Arts: 53% = Proficient; 76% = Advanced Proficient

6th Grade Math: 50% = Proficient; 82% = Advanced Proficient

8th Grade Language Arts: 55% = Proficient; 74% = Advanced Proficient

8th Grade Math: 50% = Proficient; 77% = Advanced Proficient

These new cutoffs will be applied to the tests that were taken last spring.

So...I have several thoughts about this. The first one is surprise that a score of 33% on any test could be described as "proficient" in that subject. Really? So, following this logic, 47% was called "advanced proficient." And then what...does that mean, say, 60% would be considered "perfect?"

I don't know the history of how these scores and labels were developed, but it reminds me of Starbucks' marketing...you know, where "Tall" is the smallest drink? 

It's frustrating for parents and community members (and this BOE member) to learn about the low cut-offs, and I have to say it does seem to be a good move to raise the cutoffs. Honestly, does it seem crazy to expect "proficient" to mean 50% or more? Not to me. I think it will help us have a much more realistic picture of how our students are doing, how well they are actually learning.

HOWEVER, you realize what this means, right? When Ridgewood gets its scores for grades 5-8 testing from last spring, many students who would have scored "proficient" under the previous system will now miss the cutoff. Same thing for Advanced Proficient. Bottom line, even though our students' numerical scores (and their actual performance) may have improved, our numbers of proficient and advanced proficient will go down. This will upset some people -- even though it should not. All of the first scores using the new system will be like re-setting the gauge. It makes it harder for us to compare this year's performance to last, but it doesn't affect our ability to compare our students' performance to that of other districts. Also (and this is the state's stated reason for the change), we should be able to better identify those students who need help. Perhaps any student who falls from Proficient to Partial Proficient should immediately be given some sort of remedial or special attention.

Statewide, there are concerns that some groups and some schools will not make AYP in the No Child Left Behind sweepstakes. I'm sure that will happen...and then those schools will be punished...even though students' actual performance may have improved. Maybe  the NCLB police will take this into consideration. In any event, it will definitely add to the NCLB drama.

It's too bad the only scores the district gets are these "proficient" or "advanced proficient" numbers. I wonder if there is any way to get the actual numbers, the actual scores. That would allow us to track our own students more carefully. Even better, wouldn't it be great if we could get test scores broken down into smaller areas, for example, in addition to an overall "math" score, how about scores for geometry vs. algebra...or calculations vs. word problems? Then we'd REALLY know how our instructional programs are doing. I think I'm getting a little carried away and I can already guess the answer, but I'll see what I can find out about this.

In the meantime, we'll wait for our Grades 5-8 scores to come in and see where this new rating system gets us.