Salem Science NECAP Scores in Line With State

On Wednesday the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) science testing for May 2011 were released, and Salem Assistant Superintendent Edie Soley said Salem's scores were essentially in line with state averages.

Soley said the tests were administered to students in grades 4, 8 and 11. Students were tested on skills relating to four domains of science: earth and space, life, physical and inquiry.

Soley said the inquiry, which involves research and investigation, as been an area where Salem students haven't performed well.

"The entire state doesn't do well for inquiry," Soley said.

The following table shows how Salem students did district-wide on the NECAP according to grade level and mean scaled score compared to the state.

Soley said students hit between 60 and 75 percent proficiency on the science NECAP district-wide. While these are good numbers, Soley said the district has room to improve.

Also released Thursday were the results of the 2010-2011 N.H. Alternate Learning Progressions assessments. Soley said these are assessments taken by students who cannot take the NECAP. Their assessments are gathered in a portfolio and submitted at the end of the school year.

As this was the first year of the ALP assessments, Soley said the results have not yet been properly interpreted. She said 17 students took the ALP from grades 2 through 11 in Salem last year.

The results from the ALP will be factored into the calculation for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) to be determined next spring.

The window for fall NECAP testing for this year's students will be from Oct. 3 through Oct. 25. Soley said grades 3 through 8 and grade 11 will be tested on reading and math while grades 5, 8 and 11 will also be tested on writing.

Full results can be accessed here.