CAPT Scores Show Success, Raise Questions

With the release of 2011 CAPT and CMT scores comes some predictable good news — Farmington beat out all but a handful of the state’s school districts.

In math, 80.2 percent of Farmington 10th graders taking the Connecticut Academic Performance Tests met goal, with 94.4 percent proficient. In reading, 76.2 percent met goal, with 96.6 percent proficient. Writing scores showed 88.4 percent at goal and 97.3 percent proficient. In science, 75.9 percent met goal, with 96.7 percent proficient.

The numbers are far above state averages with proficiency scores in the low 80s and at-goal scores in the mid to high 40 percent range. Overall, state scores are increasing.

But in comparison with Farmington scores over the past few years, there are slight fluctuations, especially in reading.

“This year’s scores are extremely strong. In three out of the four areas our students have performed at the highest level we’ve ever seen, and in that fourth area it was very close to the all-time high,” said Assistant Superintendent of Schools Michael Galluzzo.

The success is indicative of strong students, quality instruction and ability to motivated kids and a strong curriculum, Galluzzo said. No matter the scores, he said, the district continues to push for improvement.

“That up and down piece in particular, which we saw in the reading area, it becomes perplexing,” Galluzzo said, in contrast to other academic areas which either held steady or showed improvement. The district will analyze curriculum and possibly use professional development to try to increase proficiency.

“That it’s been inconsistent suggests we need to look at the program and how we’re integrating reading into all the different areas. It will be an area of focus for district analysis,” he said.

Another area the district will analyze is how the scores break down by race or ethnicity. Connecticut is recognized as having the largest achievement gap in the nation, and the 2011 CAPT scores reflect it.

“It’s a significant issue not just for Connecticut but for every community,” Galluzzo said. “We’re concerned if groups are underrepresented for success.”

He noted, however, that Farmington High School was last year recognized by ConnCan, a private advocacy group, as the most successful district in dealing with minority groups based on CAPT performance.

“To do better than other communities might not be good enough,” he said.

CMT Scores

Connecticut Mastery Test results, released this morning, also show excellent scores for Farmington students, though younger students declined about in math and reading from 2009 to 2010 and again with this year's scores. Writing scores are up a few points. Students in grades four through eight take the tests in math, reading and writing.

“CMT scores are a little bit up, a little bit down,” Galluzzo said. “It really merits some conversation.”

But, he noted, comparing the town’s scores to other districts in the same District Reference Group helps put the results in perspective.

“Last year, in third grade reading we had 81 percent of kids — best in the DRG and it seemed low. Then it meant something in general about test performance among third graders,” he said.

None of the tests are perfect indicators of success, either for the school district or the students, but they are important, Galluzzo said and help direct decisions.

“It’s a snapshot of student performance in time but it is pretty aligned to our general goals so we pay a lot of attention to it.”