DOE ISTEP PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, December 4, 2008

2008 ISTEP+ results indicate slight decrease in scores

State releases new ISTEP+ Parent Network to help families get involved

The 2008 Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) results, released today by Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed, showed overall pass rates declined slightly compared to last year. Statewide 2008 pass rates across all grades tested were approximately 71 percent in English/language arts, 74 percent in math and 60 percent in science.

“Despite gains made by many local schools, the latest ISTEP+ results are disappointing from a state perspective,” Reed said. “Like an annual physical, ISTEP+ is our regular checkup of student learning. The results are in, but the true test is what will be done by parents, students and educators to turn these results around.”

English/language arts pass rates dropped by one percentage point at every grade level except 10th grade which remained the same as last year. Pass rates for math and science were mixed with changes ranging from a two-point gain to a two-point decline. All ISTEP+ information, including performance data for each corporation and school, is available online at www.doe.in.gov/istep.

Reed noted that the Indiana Department of Education has several complementary efforts underway to help local students, parents and educators identify and address areas of academic need, including the new ISTEP+ Parent Network launched today at www.doe.in.gov/istepparentnetwork.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS, PARENTS

ISTEP+ Parent Network: The ISTEP+ Parent Network is a new online resource that offers parents secure access to their student’s ISTEP+ scores. Accessible on demand throughout the year at www.doe.in.gov/istepparentnetwork, families can use the ISTEP+ Parent Network to quickly and easily review their student’s latest assessment results and connect to useful educational resources. Parents should contact their student’s school if they do not receive a letter containing their secure ISTEP+ Parent Network login information.

On Track Resource Guides: The state’s On Track mini-magazine series is designed to help parents stay connected and support student learning throughout the year. Distributed annually to families across Indiana, these guides highlight what students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level, offer helpful learning tips and provide Web links to additional online resources. Visit www.doe.in.gov/publications to learn more.

SUPPORTING TEACHERS, SCHOOLS

Computer-based assessment tools: This past summer, teachers from more than 600 Indiana schools were trained to use new computer-based assessments provided by the state. These tools are designed to help teachers conduct quick mini-checkups of student comprehension throughout the school year so learning issues can be addressed as material is taught rather than waiting until the high-stakes ISTEP+ exams. Within two years, these voluntary tools will be available to every school corporation statewide.

Indiana schools that began using these tools on their own prior to the statewide rollout have said it takes about three to four years before the impact becomes apparent. While it is too soon to measure the statewide impact these new tools may have, some schools – such as Village Elementary in Fort Wayne – credit the tools for helping significantly boost their students’ ISTEP+ pass rates in recent years.

Core Standards: Since being adopted in 2000, Indiana’s K-12 Academic Standards have been consistently recognized as among the best in the country by state and national organizations. In fact, Indiana’s standards were ranked first in the nation by Education Weekly’s annual “Quality Counts” report. However, many Indiana teachers have expressed a need for a more manageable set of academic concepts that emphasize the “big ideas” across the curriculum. The Indiana Department of Education responded by developing Indiana’s Core Standards. The Core Standards highlight the essential skills so teachers can focus their efforts on ensuring students are prepared for the next grade level and higher-level content. Visit www.doe.in.gov/standards to learn more.

Differentiated Accountability: This year, Indiana was selected as one of six states to participate in the U.S. Department of Education’s Differentiated Accountability Program pilot. The new federal program allows the state greater flexibility in targeting assistance to underperforming schools based on their level of need. Indiana now provides struggling schools with more help sooner, such as hiring full-time literacy and math coaches, participating in the state’s reading and math academies, working with state support teams and training educators how to use the new computer-based assessment tools. Schools that still do not improve will face significant restructuring actions that include such steps as replacing the school principal or other staff, extending the school day or year, closing the school and reopening as a charter school or contracting with a private management company to run the school. Visit www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/differentiated_accountability.html to learn more.

“Each year we’re providing more and better information to educators and families while working to target limited resources where they can have the greatest impact,” Reed said. “Now it’s time for more communities to come together to produce truly meaningful and lasting progress.”

More about ISTEP+
ISTEP+ is given to approximately 700,000 students in grades 3-10 annually. ISTEP+ offers a snapshot of student progress at a specific point in time, providing educators, students and parents with information they can use to identify specific strengths and weaknesses at each grade level. Visit www.doe.in.gov/istep to learn more.