Test scores move in wrong direction

The Monroe School Board says their schools are "good," however, according to the State Board of Education Achievement Index, only four Monroe School District schools are rated as "good" (equivalent grade letter "C") while seven are rated as "fair" (equivalent grade letter "D"). That equates to only 36 percent (one third) of Monroe schools actually rated as "good" and the other 64 percent (two thirds) received a lesser rating of "fair." In addition, Monroe eighth-grade state math test scores came in dead last, and third from last in reading amongst the 13 Snohomish County school districts! Last year eighth-graders scored 41.2 percent in math, compared to the state average of 55.5 percent. These students were actually doing better as forth-graders, scoring 54.1 percent compared to the state average 53.6 percent. In four years scores declined 12.9 percent! Last year these eighth-graders scored 60.6 percent, compared to the state average of 67.3 percent in reading. Once again these students were actually doing better as fourth-graders, scoring 70 percent compared to the state average 72.6 percent. In four years scores declined 9.4 percent! As fourth-graders, these students were above state averages in math, but below in reading. Now as eighth-graders their scores dropped by 24 percent in math and 9 percent in reading, well below the state average! Almost 40 percent of Monroe eighth-graders were unable to pass the state reading achievement test, or four out of ten students unable to pass! Almost 60 percent of MSD eighth-graders were unable to pass the state math achievementtest, or six out of 10 students unable to pass! Coming in dead last on math, and third to last on reading in the county should be unacceptable outcomes and does not equate to "good" schools. Strong schools will only come once the board commits to providing the necessary time devoted to teaching core subjects, retaining student when they continue to fall behind and providing the proper oversight of the education of our students. Link to county comparisons; http://socialcapitalreview.org/most-snohomish-districts-lag-on-state-reading-tests/ Debra Kolrud Monroe