Press Release

ITBS RESULTS SHOW STUDENTS HOLDING ONTO GAINS

Denver Public Schools reading scores on the nationally standardized Iowa Tests of Basic Skills showed little change over last year, according to results announced today.

In four grade levels - 4, 5 7 and 11 - scores on the test, administered this spring, increased. Scores inched downward in grades 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10. Scores were unchanged in grades 1 and 2. Grade 4 posted the largest increase - from the 41st percentile in 1999 to the 44th percentile in 2000. Grades 8 and 10 posted the greatest decreases (grade 8 went from 45th percentile to the 43rd percentile; grade 10 slipped from the 51st percentile to the 49th percentile).

Three grades posted scores at or above the 50th percentile - grades 1 (52nd percentile), 9 (51st percentile) and 11 (59th percentile). On such nationally standardized tests, the 50th percentile is considered average and on grade level.

"Certainly for this last school year, we have been shifting our emphasis with testing toward improvement on the Colorado Student Assessment Program," said Bernadette Seick, Acting Superintendent for DPS. "The ITBS, however, continues to show students are working very hard, and producing strong results. There is room for improvement and as we use CSAP in more grade levels, we expect to hold onto gains we have already made and show progress where progress is needed."

Of the 11 grades tested in mathematics with the ITBS, scores for three grades were up, five were down, and three were unchanged. Three grades were at or above the national average: grade 2 (50th percentile), grade 10 (51st percentile) and grade 11 (52nd percentile).

In language, scores for four grades increased, five were down and two were unchanged. Four grades were at or above the national average: grade 6 (55th percentile), grade 7 (52nd percentile), grade 9 (50th percentile) and grade 11 (54th percentile).

On La Prueba, administered to students whose primary language is Spanish, results were generally higher. In reading, scores in six grade levels increased. Scores were unchanged in three grades and down in two grades. Eight grades posted scores at or above the national average. Grade 1 and 10 scores were at the 62nd percentile.

On the mathematics portion of La Prueba, scores for six grades were up, three were down and two were unchanged. Grade 10 posted a 20-point gain, to the 61st percentile.

In the La Prueba writing section, administered to students in grades 3 through 11, scores were up in five grades, down in three and unchanged in one. Four grades were at or above the national average: Grade 3 (57th percentile), grade 8 (53rd percentile), grade 9 (53rd percentile) and grade 10 (62nd percentile).