Students' Test Scores In Vernon Improve Dramatically

VERNON, CT — Scores in Vernon for the Connecticut Smarter Balanced test have improved dramatically, Superinterndent of Schools Joseph Macary said in a report released this week.

"I'm ecstatic. Vernon has one of the highest growth rates in the state, if you look at the scores over the past four uears," Macary said. "All the credit goes to the students, the parents and the staff — and the Board of Education. We're all moving in the same direction and that's forward."

Macary said one goal has been for "every child to grow academically, socially and emotionally, which translates to better test scores."

Macary said the tests are designed to measure the improvement of proficiency rates in math and English language arts in Grades 3 through 8.

Here are some highlights of the test results:

• From 2017-2018 to 2018-2910, the state average increased 0.2 percent in English language arts and 1.3 percent in mathematics, while Vernon's increase was 6.5 percent in English language arts and 5.4 percent in mathematics.
• Vernon public schools ranked ninth out of 185 school districts for one-year growth in ELA and ranked 23rd out of 185 districts for one-year growth in math.
• Using the same student achievement model over a four-year period, the state average increased 0.1 percent in ELA and 8.5 percent in math, while Vernon public schools increased 12.5 perecent in ELA and 19.2 percent in math.
• Another indicator of district achievement is the matched student cohort growth model. Out of the 33 Alliance District schools in the State, Vernon ranked third (behind Winchester's Grades 3-6 and Windsor systemwide) for highest student growth for the 2018-2019 year. (that's year-to-year growth over one year.)
• Concerning the achievement gap, the results between all students and those with high needs (special education, English language learners, and free/reduced lunch students) over the past four years, all local students increased 12.5 percent, while "high needs" students increased 15.9 percent in ELA. In Math, all students increased 19.2 percent and high needs students increased 21.7 percent. Macary said, "This clearly demonstrates that Vernon is closing the achievement gap among our neediest students."

Macary concluded, "Vernon Public Schools are headed in the right direction and the student achievement scores prove that."