DOE Releases Science and Social Studies Scores
(Dover, DE.) During today’s monthly State Board of Education meeting, the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) released the results from the eighth administration of the fourth and sixth grade science and social studies portions of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) conducted in October, 2007.
In fourth grade science, 92.9% of the students tested scored at Level 3 or higher, a 1.4 percentage point increase from last year’s scores. In grade six, 80.1% scored at Level 3 or higher, a 1.5 percentage point increase 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, 68.4% of students scored at level 3 or higher, a 1.7 percentage point decrease over last year’s results. In grade six, 65.6% of students scored at level 3 or higher, compared to 61.1% last year. The social studies test measures students’ knowledge and understanding in four areas: Civics, Economics, Geography and History.
|
Subject/Grade |
Well Below |
Below |
Meets |
Exceeds |
Distinguished |
|
Science Gr. 4 |
1.1% |
6.0% |
53.5% |
23.7% |
15.6% |
|
Science Gr. 6 |
4.3% |
15.6% |
55.6% |
13.8% |
10.7% |
|
Social Studies Gr. 4 |
8.2% |
23.4% |
53.3% |
10.8% |
4.3% |
|
Social Studies Gr.6 |
7.4% |
27.0% |
55.0% |
7.7% |
2.8% |
“Today’s results show steady, continuous gain over the years,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff. “Since testing began in 2000 in science and social studies, we have seen a nice, steady rise in the number of students meeting or exceeding the standards. Grade 4 Science has seen a near 10% increase in scores; grade six has seen nearly 20% gains. In Social Studies, improvement is more than 18% while at grade six, this rise in scores is near 14 percent.” Added Secretary Woodruff, “What makes these numbers so meaningful is that the number of students participating in these assessments is at or exceeds 99 percent. Our students and staff are doing a terrific job and I applaud their efforts.”
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