Unlike most other states, all of Kentucky’s 8th- and 10th-grade public school students participate in EXPLORE and PLAN assessments. As is often the case with these examinations, when the pool of test-takers is large, overall scores tend to be lower. For the 2008 administration, scores nationwide remained flat, while Kentucky’s overall scores increased in nearly every subject area.
In the 2008 administration, 48,653 8th-grade Kentucky students in 324 public schools took the EXPLORE assessment. The scoring scale for the assessment is from 1 to 25.
In the 2008 administration, 50,531 10th-grade Kentucky students in 229 public schools took the PLAN assessment. The scoring scale for the assessment is from 1 to 32.
The national normative data for EXPLORE and PLAN are based on students who took all four academic tests within standard time limits as part of a national study conducted in Fall 2005.
Scores by ethnicity and gender followed trends similar to those found in other assessments.
Scores by ethnicity and gender followed trends similar to those found in other assessments.
Administration of the EXPLORE, PLAN and ACT assessments, which are provided by ACT, Inc., was mandated by Senate Bill 130 in the 2006 session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The assessments will help schools focus on meeting academic standards across the entire secondary school program. Scores from the assessments will be helpful in measuring student achievement, gauging their readiness for transition and evaluating school programs. The ACT Index is included in accountability calculations for middle and high schools. PLAN and ACT were included in the high school ACT Index beginning with the 2007-08 school year. EXPLORE scores will be included in the 2008-09 middle school ACT Index.
The EXPLORE program is a high school readiness examination designed to help 8th graders explore a broad range of options for their future. The exam assesses four subjects (English, mathematics, reading and science) and provides needs assessments and other components to help students plan for high school and beyond.
The PLAN program helps 10th graders build a solid foundation for future academic and career success and provides information needed to address school districts' high-priority issues. The exam assesses four subjects (English, mathematics, reading and science) and is a predictor of success on the ACT.
Both assessments help schools pinpoint areas of weakness for individual students and schoolwide curriculum and make changes to improve learning. Schools will analyze their individual results to inform decision-making.
State law (KRS 158.6459) mandates that the Individual Learning Plans of students whose scores on EXPLORE and PLAN indicate that they need additional assistance in particular subject areas will incorporate strategies to help them improve their performance.
See complete details on district and school EXPLORE and PLAN data by visiting the Kentucky Department of Education's Web site at http://www.education.ky.gov and clicking on the Testing and Reporting link or HERE.
SOURCE: KDE Press release
2 comments:
Richard,
KDE’s comment near the top of their news release that, “For the 2008 administration, scores nationwide remained flat, while Kentucky’s overall scores increased in nearly every subject area,” is terribly misleading.
In fact, the only national comparison scores available are from 2005, which is the last time the ACT conducted a random sampling to determine a national norm for EXPLORE and PLAN. ACT has not conducted a normative sample since then. So, there is no way to know if the national sample has been flat.
The presentations of national scores in the first two tables in your posting for years 2006, 2007, and 2008, which comes directly from the KDE news release, add to this highly misleading presentation.
Later in the news release the KDE release admits that the national scores come from 2005, saying, “The national normative data for EXPLORE and PLAN are based on students who took all four academic tests within standard time limits as part of a national study conducted in Fall 2005.” But, this just adds confusion due to the earlier comments in the release.
We need to understand that the new Kentucky scores are being compared to a national sample taken three years earlier, and that sample might be dated. Also, it is absolutely impossible to know what the national trend has been in the past three years.
I will contact KDE tomorrow to ask for a corrected news release. I think Kentuckians and our educators deserve that.
Richard,
I can't argue with you on this one.
It is misleading when folks skew, mistate or overstate their claims. The department ought to walk it back. As you say, Kentuckians deserve that.
For much the same reason, the Bluegrass Institute ought take this one back as well: http://theprincipal.blogspot.com/2008/12/bad-science-its-not-study-its-spin.html
If we can just get the pros and the cons to quit messing with the data, we'd all be better off.
Richard
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