ISTEP scores released (12/21/06)

Math scores by local students far surpassed those reported today by the Indiana Department of Education for the state as a whole on the 2006 ISTEP-Plus test.

In a few cases, Jay students were well above the state averages.

At the fifth grade level, for example, 84 percent of Jay County students passed the math portion of the test, while just 76 percent passed statewide.

The math scores were strong all across the board, with Jay County students at all levels outperforming state averages.

Jay students at four grade levels outperformed the state average in language arts. At two levels, Jay County's percentage of those passing the test matched the state average; at two other levels, Jay students scored slightly below the state average.

As in past years, Jay students performed better on the test in elementary and middle schools that at the high school level. But Jay County High School students topped the state average in math and matched the state average in language arts.

Statewide, 65 percent of tenth graders passed the math portion of the test, while 69 percent of JCHS tenth graders passed. JCHS had 66 percent pass the language arts portion, the same as the state as a whole.

"Our goal is one of improvement," Jay Schools superintendent Tim Long said this morning.

"How do we take it to the next level? That's the focus of everything we do."

Jay County's scores showed 75 percent of third graders passing state competency levels in language arts and 77 percent in math. The state average was 74 percent in language arts and 72 percent in math.

Seventy-two percent of Jay fourth graders met state standards in language arts and 79 percent in math. The state average was 75 percent in language arts and 75 percent in math.

Seventy-seven percent of Jay fifth graders met state standards in language arts and 84 percent in math. The state average was 74 percent in language arts and 76 percent in math.

Seventy-one percent of Jay sixth graders met state standards in language arts and 81 percent in math.

The state average was 71 percent in language arts and 80 percent in math.

Scores for Jay seventh graders in language arts dropped to 66 percent, while 82 percent met state standards in math. The state average was 68 percent in language arts and 77 percent in math.

Seventy-three percent of Jay eighth graders met state standards in language arts and 75 percent in math. The state average was 67 percent in language arts and 71 percent in math.

Seventy-one percent of Jay ninth graders met state standards in language arts and 72 percent in math. The state average was 67 percent in language arts and 67 percent in math.

Among individual elementary schools, Pennville posted the top scores among third graders in both language arts and math, and Bloomfield posted the top scores in both areas among fourth graders.

At the fifth grade level, Redkey posted the best scores in language arts, Bloomfield posted the best scores in math, and General Shanks and Westlawn tied for highest scores in science.[[In-content Ad]]