Student scores fell for the first time in more than a decade on the state’s standards tests.The decline in last spring’s STAR test results was slight, an average of less than one percentage point for all tests in all grades, but is noteworthy because there have been gains every year since 2003.
The posted results are also the last the state will see on this assessment: Most of the California standards tests are being phased out starting this year due to the switch to Common Core State Standards. The new common core tests will begin in 2014-15.
Only those standardized tests required under the federal No Child Left Behind law will be given to California students this coming year.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson downplayed the downward turn saying the scores show “remarkable resilience” following years of budget cuts that are finally ending with voter approval of Proposition 30 in last November’s election. The initiative will raise millions for schools through temporary increases in sales and income taxes.
“While we all want to see California’s process continue, these results show that in the midst of