Complete tests scores show improvements in failing categories
By Eileen Oldfield Staff Writer
With all test scores reported, Hillsborough schools received passing designations for all subgroups in all test areas under No Child Left Behind standards, Superintendent Edward Forsthoffer said at the Aug. 20 Board of Education meeting.
Preliminary test scores, which were released at the July 16 Board of Education meeting, showed progress in most categories; however, test scores for the early disabled subgroup were not available at that time. The absence of those scores resulted in a preliminary failing designation in elementary and middle school language arts and literacy and math.
Because the subgroup does not take a standardized test, but rather creates a type of learning portfolio, evaluating the student’s progress took longer than assessing the standardized tests.
”Let’s keep those high expectations, and keep working,” said Dr. Forsthoffer. “I think we still need to push to the top, but we still need to reach to all students.”
Though the district reached the state’s educational goals this year, the work isn’t finished for school officials.
Under NCLB, new test goals are added each year; the 2007 to 2008 school year marks the first time science achievement will be tested under the law.
”We want to be where the state wants us to be, but we want to do it in a logical, educational way,” said Dr. Forsthoffer. “It’s we taught you how to take a test versus we taught you.”
The NCLB law sets requirements for schools to improve scores on standardized tests for students, with breakdowns by gender, special needs and language background.
Failure to meet the required gains can result in penalties for the district. The law will be up for reapproval in 2008.

