Klamath County School District Sees Increase In State Test Scores

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District’s 11th graders jump more than 13 percent in English Language Arts; 9 percent in mathematics

Klamath County School District’s 2017-18 state assessment testing scores improved in English language arts and mathematics from 2016-17, jumping 4.2 percent in language arts and 0.2 percent in mathematics. Science scores remained flat.

Glen Szymoniak, superintendent of the Klamath County School District, said he was pleased to see that hard work done last year increased test scores in several areas.

“The district will continue to utilize data to assess programs and seek ways to improve practices,” he said. “We are determined to continuously improve and prepare all students for success in college and careers.”

The district’s overall scores were slightly below the state average -- 1.1 percent lower in English language arts, 0.9 percent lower in math and 0.3 percent lower in science. But the district’s 11th graders scored above state average in both English language arts and math.

Of the district’s 11th graders, nearly 76 percent scored as proficient -- levels 3 and 4 -- in English language arts, a 13.5 percent increase from 2016-17, and significantly above the state average of 70.3 percent for 11th graders.

Math scores for the district’s 11th graders also jumped significantly, increasing 9.1 percent. Overall, math scores remained low, with 34.3 percent of district 11th graders and 33.2 percent of 11th graders statewide scoring in the proficient range.

Other grade levels throughout the district also saw improvements from last year.

Jennifer Hawkins, county schools elementary curriculum director, said that most elementary grades were near or ahead of the state average, and the assessments help the district determine what is working well and in what areas improvements can be made.

“At the elementary level you can definitely see our efforts in reading,” she said. “Much of our work this year will be to improve learning in math.”

The Oregon Department of Education released the scores Thursday (Sept. 20). Students took the Smarter Balanced tests in spring of the 2017-18 school year. The tests assess student progress on Common Core standards and the likelihood students will graduate high school ready for college or a career. Students take the tests in grades 3-8 and 11, and they are graded on a 1-4 scale, with 4 being the highest. Students who score a 3 or 4 on the exams are considered proficient.

The science assessment is given in third, eighth and 11th grades and is not a Smarter Balanced test. Smarter Balanced tests require students to write, think critically and solve multi-step problems.

Statewide, scores were relatively flat from last year. Overall, students saw a 1.3 percent increase in English language arts scores. Overall, statewide math scores remained flat, dipping less than 0.3 percent. The state and districts use the tests to look at overall student achievement and determine their levels of mastery. The data are broken down by schools, grade levels, and groups of students, including English Learners, providing districts a way to evaluate how their students are being served.

This was likely the last year 11th graders will participate in state’s Smarter Balanced assessment test in math and English language arts. State officials are considering replacing the test with a college-entrance type exam similar to the SAT and ACT.

Other highlights include:

  • Klamath County School District fourth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders all improved in English language arts. Fourth graders saw the biggest jump, with an 8.5 percent improvement. Sixth graders’ scores improved 4.9 percent; seventh graders, 1.8 percent and eighth graders, 6.0 percent.

  • In mathematics, KCSD fourth graders saw a 7.7 percent improvement in scores from last year.

  • In science, the district’s eighth- and 11th-graders saw improvements from last year, and scored above the state average. Of district eighth-graders, 63.6 percent scored in the proficient range, a 2.9 percent improvement; statewide average was 60.4 percent. Of district 11th graders, 57.7 scored proficient, a 1.8 percent increase; statewide average for 11th graders was 53.9 percent.

Press release provided from the Klamath County School District.

Klamath County School District: 2017-18 Oregon Assessments 1. CLICK FOR LARGER.

Klamath County School District: 2017-18 Oregon Assessments 2. CLICK FOR LARGER.