By Brian Gray
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Monroe students performed above the state average in almost every section of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exams (WKCE).
Monroe High School sophomores were 3 percentage points, 66 percent, below the state average on the tests, which are given yearly to third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, seventh-, eighth- and 10th-grades. All students in those grades are required to take the tests. The tests are conducted for one week every November.
Monroe School District Director of Instruction Cory Hirsbrunner said the high school math tests show the need to focus on math skills. However, the tests also show the district's focus on reading and math skills in the elementary schools and middle school has been successful.
"They show us what our strengths are, and where we need to make improvements," she said.
Hirsbrunner said the high school math curriculum is on schedule to be looked at and changes will be made in the future. Curriculum reviews come up every seven years, and high school math is on the list of subjects to be reviewed.
Overall, Hirsbrunner was pleased with the results of the statewide tests.
"There's always room for improvement," she said.
Regardless of how well the students performed on the tests, or despite the fact high school students were a little below the state average, Hirsbrunner said people need to keep in mind the WKCE tests are only one way to measure student progress.
There is a possibility to misinterpret the results, Hirsbrunner said. She said some students perform poorly on written tests. Their progress might be better interpreted in their daily work assignments.
Other students might have a lower test score because of something going on at home, she added. Outside influences can have an impact on student achievement, she said.
Principals and teachers meet regularly, and they can help determine if a student is having trouble in a class or if it was an anomaly.
The school district uses the tests are one guidepost for student progress, but the WKCE shouldn't be considered the sole authority.
"These tests are just one piece of information," she said. "You can't put all of the weight on one test."
The district uses a variety of tests throughout the year to gauge student progress, she said.
For example, the district uses the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which are given in the fall and spring. Hirsbrunner said the tests provide a better source of information to show how much students have learned from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
The MAP test is probably a better indicator of a student's progress because the results are more readily available, Hirsbrunner said. The WKCE tests are given in November, but the results don't come back until April, which means the school year is almost over.
Hirsbrunner said that tests are important, but there are other things that are important to student achievement. Academic progress is important, but so is helping them learn to get along with others and helping them with their emotional needs, she said.
"The goal is educating the whole child," she said. "The objective is for all students to succeed."
More information about Monroe and other school districts' WKCE test results is available at www.dpi.sta-te.wi.us.
bgray@ themonroetimes.com
MONROE - Monroe students performed above the state average in almost every section of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exams (WKCE).
Monroe High School sophomores were 3 percentage points, 66 percent, below the state average on the tests, which are given yearly to third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, seventh-, eighth- and 10th-grades. All students in those grades are required to take the tests. The tests are conducted for one week every November.
Monroe School District Director of Instruction Cory Hirsbrunner said the high school math tests show the need to focus on math skills. However, the tests also show the district's focus on reading and math skills in the elementary schools and middle school has been successful.
"They show us what our strengths are, and where we need to make improvements," she said.
Hirsbrunner said the high school math curriculum is on schedule to be looked at and changes will be made in the future. Curriculum reviews come up every seven years, and high school math is on the list of subjects to be reviewed.
Overall, Hirsbrunner was pleased with the results of the statewide tests.
"There's always room for improvement," she said.
Regardless of how well the students performed on the tests, or despite the fact high school students were a little below the state average, Hirsbrunner said people need to keep in mind the WKCE tests are only one way to measure student progress.
There is a possibility to misinterpret the results, Hirsbrunner said. She said some students perform poorly on written tests. Their progress might be better interpreted in their daily work assignments.
Other students might have a lower test score because of something going on at home, she added. Outside influences can have an impact on student achievement, she said.
Principals and teachers meet regularly, and they can help determine if a student is having trouble in a class or if it was an anomaly.
The school district uses the tests are one guidepost for student progress, but the WKCE shouldn't be considered the sole authority.
"These tests are just one piece of information," she said. "You can't put all of the weight on one test."
The district uses a variety of tests throughout the year to gauge student progress, she said.
For example, the district uses the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) tests, which are given in the fall and spring. Hirsbrunner said the tests provide a better source of information to show how much students have learned from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
The MAP test is probably a better indicator of a student's progress because the results are more readily available, Hirsbrunner said. The WKCE tests are given in November, but the results don't come back until April, which means the school year is almost over.
Hirsbrunner said that tests are important, but there are other things that are important to student achievement. Academic progress is important, but so is helping them learn to get along with others and helping them with their emotional needs, she said.
"The goal is educating the whole child," she said. "The objective is for all students to succeed."
More information about Monroe and other school districts' WKCE test results is available at www.dpi.sta-te.wi.us.