Big News in Student Test Scores

Do you want to know how your child’s school performed? The LA Times has a link so you can check it out at latimes.com/test-scores.
I have yet to meet anyone who is excited about the new Common CORE assessments, partly because they are so different from the old testing, and partly because we are just learning how to consider the results.
At first glance the tests seem intimidating and discouraging, however these new tests are geared to give parents and educators early information on how well students are tracking towards readiness for college. The scores were not a surprise; lower scores were expected and will be compared to last years benchmark.
As with the pre-Common CORE tests, most students are falling short of learning targets and are not on track to succeed in college. In LAUSD only 34 percent if students were proficient in math compared to Santa Clarita at 48 percent.  LAUSD English proficiency was at 44 percent while Santa Clarita students were are 63 percent. There is definitely room for improvement.
These higher standards set for proficiency should result in graduates who are better prepared for college and the work force.
The tests now focus on depth of understanding, asking students to explain their reasoning for the calculations they will perform, often resulting in frustration. They will now be required to know all of the previous skills they should have mastered in earlier grades, as there is really no time to do review at the beginning of each school year.
Also, the curriculum is much more challenging and covers topics often several years earlier than previously taught. Students will now be required to answer problems that are applied to the real world, making complex connections and conclusions and articulate why they know what they know in written fashion because the answer just won’t be good enough!
Get a jump-start this school year. Enroll in individualized tutoring and improve your child’s understand and retention. Add enrichment, take a transferable course, learn study skills or prepare for upcoming college entrance exams. Math Support Services professional staff specializes in math and science and more.
Call us at 661-255-1730 to schedule a free assessment test with your registration.  For more information you can visit us on the web at www.mathsupportservices.com.