D.C. elementary schools lose ground on test scores; secondary gains continue
By Bill Turque
Washington Post Staff WriterWednesday, July 14, 2010
After two years of significant gains across the D.C. school system, elementary students lost ground in reading and math test scores this year, a setback to Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee as she seeks to overhaul the city's schools.
The data released Tuesday did reflect encouraging news for middle and high schools, which extended gains in reading and math proficiency on the District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessment System. Officials said the three-year record of double-digit growth in secondary schools' test scores -- an average gain of 14 percentage points in the reading pass rate and 17 points in the math rate -- surpasses the norm for big urban school districts.
But the dip of between four to five points in elementary scores halts an upward two-year trend. From 2007 to 2009, elementary pass rates had risen about 19 points in math and 11 points in reading.
The decline comes at an inopportune moment for Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, who is in a hotly contested Democratic primary battle with D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. Fenty hopes to demonstrate to voters that the city's school system, among the nation's
Miriam Everett will work on a program, funded by the Gates Foundation, to evaluate her fellow teachers (Phelan M. Ebenhack).
But the dip of between four to five points in elementary scores halts an upward two-year trend. From 2007 to 2009, elementary pass rates had risen about 19 points in math and 11 points in reading.
The decline comes at an inopportune moment for Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, who is in a hotly contested Democratic primary battle with D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray. Fenty hopes to demonstrate to voters that the city's school system, among the nation's
Foundation plays a key role in education changes
The Gates Foundation plays a pivotal role in funding new approaches to the education system.
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Miriam Everett will work on a program, funded by the Gates Foundation, to evaluate her fellow teachers (Phelan M. Ebenhack).