NC school test scores, still below pre-pandemic levels, show signs of learning recovery
North Carolina students scored better on their standardized tests this spring than last year, indicating some rebound toward pre-pandemic academic achievement is happening.
"These results are similar to what we’ve been seeing from other states that have released their test results in that we are seeing progress back toward pre-COVID levels," said Tammy Howard, state Department of Public Instruction senior director of accountability and testing.
Tests in Ohio showed some growth, according to the Fordham Institute. Some national analyses have been less encouraging, such as one from the Northwest Evaluation Association, or NWEA.
The State Board of Education reviewed the test scores and other performance metrics Wednesday, largely arguing for changes in how performance metrics are collected and presented to be more useful and less biased toward school poverty rates.
Test scores statewide are still below what they were prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and its learning disruptions, including months of remote learning. But improvements were seen across the board — in reading, math, science and English.
Experts have predicted a full rebound to pre-pandemic scores would take years. At the same time, they’ve pointed to efforts to improve scores and accelerate student learning so that students can gain even more knowledge than they would in a typical year.
Those efforts include intensive tutoring, instructional coaches for schools and more monitoring of progress. They also include more indirect help, such as counselors and other support professionals. But federal dollars that are paying for some interventions will expire in just one year, with no clear path to replace the help.
- In third through eighth grade reading, proficiency rose from 48.4% in spring 2022 to 50.2% this spring. That’s down from 57.3% five years ago.
- In third through eighth grade math, proficiency rose from 49.8% in spring 2022 to 53% this spring. That’s down from 56.1% five years ago.
- In fifth and eighth grade science, proficiency dropped from 68.3% in spring 2022 to 67.7% this spring. That’s down from 72.1% five years ago.
- In biology, proficiency rose from 52.1% in spring 2022 to 54.1% this spring. That’s down from 58.3% five years ago.
- In English II, proficiency rose from 57.9% in spring 2022 to 58.3% this spring. That’s down from 59.8% five years ago.
On Wednesday, State Board of Education members lamented the continued high number of schools described as "low-performing." Such a designation is based 80% on raw test scores and 20% on growth measures, or how well students did compared to what they were expected to do.
Board members believe the labels are actually misleading and say North Carolina is far more narrow in its assessment of school performance than other states.
School performance grades — the measure by which the state decides if a school is “low-performing” or not — correlate with socioeconomic status of the students who attend the school. Educators argue that makes it difficult to tell the story of a school or to use the scores to figure out what schools are and aren’t doing well. Families often use the grades to determine where they'll live and send their children to school.
Board members have supported an overhaul for years, Chairman Eric Davis said, but haven't made progress. State lawmakers set the grading process.
"How long is it going to take us to get there?" Davis said.
State Superintendent Catherine Truitt has proposed an overhaul of the grades to include more measurements of program and credential offerings, as well as student attendance rates.
But an overhaul would still include proficiency rates, which are still fundamental to measuring student progress.
"We cannot lose sight of that," Board Member Olivia Oxendine said.
The scores remain below the state’s goals contained in federal planning documents. The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction set goals for this school year of 53.8% grade-level reading proficiency among third through eighth graders and 57.8% grade-level math proficiency among third through eighth graders. But the data show reading proficiency was 50.2% and math proficiency was 53%.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the number of low-performing schools this year. It is 804 schools.
