State Writing Scores Released
by Valorie Foy
September 03, 2008
State Writing Scores Released
The Nebraska Department of Education has released the scores for the writing assessment that was administered statewide in February 2008 to students in grades four, eight, and eleven. The percent of students in each grade who earned a score high enough to be proficient is reported below for the state and for Crete Public Schools.
|
|
4th Grade |
8th Grade |
11th Grade |
|
State of Nebraska |
90.58% |
92.68% |
94.30% |
|
Crete Public Schools |
93.55% |
74.63% |
94.40% |
Not only did local students in grades four and eleven outpace their peers statewide, but Crete’s proficiency rates increased at both grades over last year’s. The eighth graders have increased proficiency since the last time they participated in the state writing test. In 03-04 as fourth graders, the class earned a 73.58% proficiency rate.
Overall, the increase in proficiency rates in Crete of English Language Learners, special education students, Hispanics, students of mobility, and free-and-reduced lunch students is an encouraging trend.
The statewide writing test conducted by Nebraska Department of Education has provided guidance in the instruction of writing in the state of Nebraska since its inception in 2001. Grading criteria are based on a six-trait writing guide that includes content, organization, conventions, sentence fluency, style, and word choice.
Bret Schroder, Crete Elementary Principal commented on the consistency of writing instruction, “All teachers across all grade levels focus on good language and writing skills here at Crete Elementary. This effort has culminated in the success of Crete students on the fourth grade writing test—and continues in fifth grade as students prepare to move up to the middle school.”
The 2008-2009 Nebraska Statewide Writing Test will be given in Crete Public Schools in February 2009.
The complete writing report with data provided for all subgroups is available at http://www.nde.state.ne.us/. Click on 2007-2008 Statewide Writing Assessment Website.
