Vermont students performed at about the same level in science in 2015 as they did in 2014 and achievement gaps continued to grow, according to results from the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP).
New Hampshire students, however, scored a bit better than Vermont in each grade. The test measures students’ scientific literacy and inquiry.
“Some of our schools provide excellent opportunities to learn in science, and others have work to do,” Education Secretary Rebecca Holcombe said.
Last year, 44 percent of fourth-grade students met or exceeded the state science expectations and this year, 46 percent achieved the same standard, according to test results released Friday.
Last year in Grade 8, 25 percent of students met or surpassed the standards while this year, 24 percent did the same.
In Grade 11, there was some small growth from 30 percent meeting expectations last year to 32 percent scoring at or above proficiency this year.
But children on the free and reduced-priced lunch program, an indicator of poverty, continue to fall behind their peers in science proficiency.
The gap in fourth-grade has hovered around 7 percentage points, while in Grades 8 and 11 it has stayed at a steady 6-point difference between those meeting proficiency.
“These results give us a means to evaluate the size and direction of our achievement gaps,” said state testing director Michael Hock. “At the state level, we will look closely at scores to assess challenges related to equity and set goals.”
New Hampshire and Rhode Island also tested the three grade levels in science last spring. Rhode Island, like Vermont, didn’t see much variation in scores from last year. New Hampshire’s students scored at or above proficiency more often than Vermont.
“We are committed to supporting improvements in science instruction across all our systems, to ensure that all our children, no matter where they live, have access to high-quality science instruction,” Holcombe said.
