Bedford Students Fare Well in NECAP Testing

2010 NECAP science results were released this week and Bedford students exceeded statewide perfomance.

Of the roughly 1,100 student tested in grades 4, 8 and 11, 62 percent of Bedford students scored a level of proficient (Level 3) or proficient with distinction (Level 4), and 36 percent earned those levels across New Hampshire. Similarly, four percent of SAU 25 tested at substantially below proficient (Level 1), as opposed to 18 percent statewide.

SAU 25 Superintendent Tim Mayes said he was pleased, overall, with the results, and congratulated district teachers on their continued efforts.

"Our results indicated improvement on student performance at grades 8 and 11.  Our fourth grades results yielded fewer students who were proficient or better than last year, but similar to our results of two years ago," said Mayes. "This data will be used to identify students who need additional support and instruction to address areas of weakness as well as program strengths and areas of need."

Earlier this year, Bedford performed similarly well in writing, reading and mathematics.

Of the roughly 2,560 SAU 25 students who were tested last October in reading - in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 - 90 percent archived level 3 or 4 status, as compared to the state average of 77. Only 2 percent of local students were found to be at level 1, while the Granite State average stood at 7 percent.

By the same measure, 86 percent of those tested in mathematics earned levels 3 and 4, 20 percent higher than the New Hampshire percentage. Sixteen percent of Granite State youth tested at level 1 proficiency, yet SAU 25 averaged just 5 percent.

In writing, 73 percent of Bedford students tested proficient or better, as opposed to 54 percent statewide. Bedford saw 2 percent of students score at level 1, while the state average stood at 7 percent.

Cindy Chagnon, vice chairman on the Bedford School Board said while SAU 25 consistently performs well in standardized testing, her board and the administrations at each of the town's schools are working together to constantly identify areas to improve.

In fact, she said writing was identified as an area in need of improvement in recent years and the district responded by hiring a writing coach to work with educators at the primary level to strengthen and differentiate Bedford student's abilities.

"We have wonderful kids, we have dedicated parents and, most importantly, we have a wonderful group of teachers who work extra hard to make education a positive experience for all students," said Chagnon. "For years, we've taken the data we get from these tests and have given it a careful look to determine how our kids are doing on particular subjects, so we really use these assessments as a tool to improve our education and make sure every student is moving forward."

NECAP testing is New England's version of standardized assessment tests which are taken around the country and across the educational board, part of the No Child Left Behind initiative. Results released today reflect the 2010 scores for students in grades 4,8 and 11.

You can link here to wade through the state's NECAP results, which are broken down by district and school