In fourth grade science, 91.5% of the students tested scored at Level 3 or higher, a less than one percentage point decrease from last year’s scores. In grade six, 78.4% scored at Level 3 or higher, a 1.6 percentage point decrease from last year’s assessment. The science test measures students’ knowledge and understanding in four areas: Inquiry, Life Science, Earth Science and Physical Science.

In fourth grade social studies, 70.1% of students scored at level 3 or higher, a 5.4 percentage point increase over last year’s results. In grade six, 61.1% of students scored at level 3 or higher, compared to 60.1% last year. The social studies test measures students’ knowledge and understanding in four areas: Civics, Economics, Geography and History.

Last Thursday, Harcourt Assessment, Inc., vendor for Delaware’s statewide assessment, notified the Department of Education that two questions on the Grade 6 Social Studies assessment were incorrectly graded. Since then, Harcourt has worked to rescore every test taken by Delaware sixth graders. Therefore, test results for students will either go up, go down or remain the same. Districts and parents should begin receiving corrected score reports next week.

"We deeply regret the inconvenience this error causes to students, parents and the state," said Harcourt Assessment CEO & President Michael Hansen.

“I am very disappointed that this scoring error occurred for grade 6 Social Studies,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff. “Students and their families should not have to deal with this confusion. Although parents and teachers will receive the corrected grades, we must now recalculate all the new scores before we can release the statewide summary report in this content area.”

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