MEDIA RELEASE

In a year of unprecedented improvement, Hawaii’s public school students in every grade increased their scores in both reading and math in the 2012 Hawaii State Assessment, according to data released Tuesday by the Hawaii State Department of Education.

The gains helped 17 more DOE schools achieve Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, under the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law, compared to last year.

“The remarkable growth in reading and math proficiency for all grade levels is a direct reflection of the hard work of our educators and students,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “Our plan to create systemic change is working. Increasingly, more students in more schools across the state are on the path toward college and career readiness. Today we stop to celebrate our students’ impressive achievement – but our work to ensure all children succeed only accelerates.”

Among the highlights:

· The number of students proficient in reading and math this year increased by about 6,000 in each subject, compared to the previous year.

· The statewide jump in reading and math proficiency was educationally significant at 5 percentage points.

· A total of 15 schools improved to “Good Standing” status under NCLB.

This year’s positive results follow an upward trend that has seen DOE students’ reading and math proficiency rise steadily in recent years.

They also mirror students’ performance in the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), validating the strength and rigor of Hawaii’s standards. Hawaii stood out as the only state in the nation to better its scores in both mathematics and reading in grades 4 and 8 in the so-called “Nation’s Report Card.”

Hawaii State Assessment:

Reading, Math Proficiency Rise for All Grades

The 2012 Hawaii Statewide Assessment Program results show that student proficiency scores in reading and math increased for all tested grades – 3 through 8 and 10. The results include the Hawaii State Assessment (in English and Hawaiian languages), and the Hawaii State Alternate Assessment.

Growth has been generally consistent through the years. The percentage of students testing proficient in reading has risen from 41 percent (2003) and 60 percent (2007) to 71 percent in 2012, up five percentage points from last year. In math, proficiency has also gradually increased, rising from 20 percent (2003) and 39 percent (2007) to 59 percent in 2012, also a five percent point gain from the previous year.

The 2011-12 school year marked the second year the online version of the Hawaii State Assessments were administered. More than 96,000 students took the assessment from Oct. 17, 2011 through May 18, 2012. Schools have the option of assessing students up to three times with the online system, which provides instant feedback to educators and students. The online version replaced the paper-and-pencil reading and math assessments, which were last administered to students in April 2010.

Beginning in 2007, a new version of the Hawaii State Assessment based on the Hawaii Content and Performance Standards III was administered to students. Individual school results will be released next month.

Adequate Yearly Progress:

Seventeen More DOE Schools Achieve Rigorous Benchmarks

The 2012 Hawaii State Assessment Program results determine whether schools are making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) toward the NCLB’s mandate that every student be proficient by 2014. For a school to make AYP this year, 72 percent or more of its students had to be proficient in reading (up from 58 percent in 2010) and 64 percent in mathematics (from 46 percent in 2010).

Preliminary results showed that 49 percent of DOE schools (124 schools) met AYP, up from 42 percent (107 schools) last year. Statewide, including public charter schools, 47 percent of Hawaii’s public schools (133 schools) achieved AYP, up from 41 percent (117 schools) last year.

In order to make AYP under NCLB’s “all-or-nothing” rating system, schools must meet all targets in 37 areas (45 for high schools) defined by ethnicity, higher poverty levels, limited English proficiency, special education needs, and elementary or middle school retention or high school graduation rates. Sanctions are imposed on schools unable to attain all AYP targets for two consecutive years within the same subject or indicator area. A total of 59 schools, or approximately 20 percent, missed AYP by only one or two targets.

Meanwhile, 15 schools moved into “Good Standing.” They are:

Elementary: Nanakuli, Kaewai, Mililani Ike, Mauka Lani, Parker, Waiakea, Kohala, Waihee.

Middle/Intermediate: Moanalua, King, Hilo.

Combination: Waikoloa Elementary & Middle

Charter: Waters of Life, Halau Ku Mana, Thompson Academy.

Overall, among 286 schools subject to AYP, 140 (49%) are in “Good Standing,” 33 (12%) are in “School Improvement” levels, 19 (7%) are in “Corrective Action,” 11 (4%) are “Planning for Restructuring,” and 83 (29%) are under or will undergo “Restructuring.”

Schools that did not make preliminary AYP have from July 18 through July 27 to file their intent to appeal, with final results to be determined by August 24.

Statement from Hawaii State Board of Education Chairman Don Horner:

“The Board is very appreciative of the dedication of our teaching professionals and support staff. This progress is a direct result of their hard work and affirms our strategic direction.”

Statement from Gov. Neil Abercrombie:

“The rise in scores is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of school teachers, members of the Board of Education and the Department of Education. This is a collaborative effort in fulfilling the path towards student achievement.

“We asked for the opportunity to demonstrate what could be done. These scores provide an excellent snapshot of the positive results taking place in the classroom.”

Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan:

“Student performance data released today signal an encouraging sign that more than ever before, Hawaii is focused on efforts to support classroom instruction and student learning. The results also mirror the sincere dedication of state leaders, local leaders, principals and teachers toward improving their education system. Despite challenges and setbacks in meeting Race to the Top goals, Hawaii has maintained a relentless commitment to moving forward. Their continued commitment to do what is best for students and staff will be critical to putting in place progressive reforms through Race to the Top.”

The BOE’s final presentation:

List of School Results: