SLPS MAP Scores Reflect Student Improvement in Reading and Math
Middle school students make impressive gains

St. Louis - Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores have been released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Seven schools in the St. Louis Public School District met adequate yearly progress (AYP) goals for the 2006-2007 school year. In announcing SLPS results, Superintendent Diana Bourisaw applauds those schools making AYP.

Eleven schools demonstrated improvement in both communications arts (reading) and mathematics. Test scores reveal significant improvements by sixth and seventh grade youngsters – gains that exceed the statewide results. The superintendent stated that she was particularly pleased with the gains at the middle school level.

“In communications arts, students in grades six and seven outpaced growth in the state overall,” Bourisaw said. “In addition, student achievement improved in math in grades six to ten.”

In communications arts, sixth graders posted a gain of 1.2% in communication arts, compared with a 0.9% gain statewide. Seventh graders posted a 4.4% gain in communications arts, compared with a 2.1% gain statewide. In mathematics, SLPS sixth graders’ performance virtually equaled the statewide gain. At the seventh grade level, SLPS MAP test scores reflect a 4.6% increase, compared with a 2.3% increase by students statewide.

The district reports additional positive results. In communications arts, student performance improved at five high schools, seven middle schools, and twenty-two elementary schools. In mathematics, four high schools, eight middle schools, and sixteen elementary schools showed gains in the percentage of students scoring at the level of proficient or advanced.

Last spring, students in all Missouri public schools took the MAP tests in communication arts and mathematics. The tests are required for all students in grades 3-8. The communication arts exam also is given in grade 11. Students take the math test in grade 10.

The test results are used by the state to evaluate public schools and to satisfy requirements under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

While Bourisaw is pleased with areas showing academic improvement, she stressed that the district is concerned over declines, as measured by MAP test scores, reported in several schools throughout the district.

“Under No Child Left Behind, Missouri has the highest academic standards in the country, and that is always a challenge,” Bourisaw said. “Even so, our goal is to achieve above state standards. The district is conducting an evaluation of student scores in all of our buildings in an effort to improve overall district performance.”

Schools making AYP are:

Elementary

Bryan Hill
Herzog
Kennard
Sherman

Middle

Busch AAA
McKinley

High School

Metro

In contrast, none of the charter schools in the City of St. Louis made AYP.

For more information on MAP scores, visit the DESE website at http://dese.mo.gov.