August 30, 2012
Pass rates on spring 2012 state tests are strong across the Bellevue School District, according to results released Wednesday by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. District-level pass rates on the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) exams in reading, math, writing and science are higher than last year in nearly every grade. Pass rates from one grade level to the next are consistent, and scores remain strong as students move from elementary through middle school.
Some of the largest increases in MSP pass rates were in 5th grade science, which improved nearly 16%. Seventh grade MSP reading pass rates increased almost 19%.
Title 1 schools in the Bellevue School District also showed significant gains on MSP pass rates. Fifth grade MSP math pass rates at Lake Hills Elementary improved by 22 points, jumping from 54% to 76%. Fourth grade MSP reading pass rates at Stevenson Elementary increased by 23 points, from 40% to 63%. Highland Middle School’s eighth grade MSP science pass rates climbed 14 points to 78%. Title 1 programs in the district are designed to support the most at-risk students.
Bellevue students also had strong pass rates on the End-of-course (EOC) exams given in middle and high school. 89% of students who took the EOC Algebra exam passed. 95% of test takers passed the EOC Geometry exam. 82% passed the EOC Biology exam, which was given for the first time this spring.
What is encouraging about the state test results is that pass rates at the district level remain strong and are consistent across all grades and subjects. While pass rates are strong overall, the district will continue to analyze state test results, looking deeper at student subgroups to ensure that all students are on the path to success.
All public school students in Washington in grades 3 through 8 take Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) tests in Reading and Math each spring. The MSP Writing test is given in grades 4 and 7. The MSP Science test is taken by students in grades 5 and 8.
End of Course (EOC) exams are given in Algebra and Geometry to students in grades 6-12, depending on when students are enrolled in the course. The graduating Classes of 2013 and 2014 are required to pass one EOC Math exam for graduation. Students in the Class of 2015 and younger must pass both math exams in order to graduate. Passing the Biology EOC exam is a graduation requirement, starting with the Class of 2015.
District- and school-level 2012 state testing results are available on the Bellevue School District website. Parents should expect to receive their student’s individual state test results in the mail by the end of September. More information is available about the tests on the State Testing page on the District website.