(Image source from: AzMERIT result revealed learning gaps in Arizona})
AzMERIT’s, low result shows that the learning gaps in Arizona had been there even before the new test is introduced. The students who are poor and from rural districts has performed worse. Such districts took the new test as a burden and revealed the results.
According to the performance data from the state Department of Education, districts in rural areas, low income areas and often based in Indian reservation areas are ranked the lowest in the math and English language art portion of the test. While, minority communities like Hispanic and Latino, Native American and African-American students as well as differently abled students performed poorer than their peers.
Other districts, like like Gila County's San Carlos and Pinal County's Baboquivari Unified School District had hardly got their passing percentages in the low 10s in both maths as well as in English language art. Often they need to make it harder to encourage good teacher to come and stay to teach students coming from low income families who resides in rural areas.
Scores revealed that, except one third students, most of them were not capable enough in either maths or the reading learning standards. Actually, the AzMERIT test was not the same that the students had seen in the past years. The test format is quite different from previous year’s tests. It includes more open-ended questions that need more critical thinking and problem solving skills to find out the suitable answer.
"I am just sitting here, wondering what are we not doing with our students" said Superintendent Catherine Steele. Adding this, she told recently, "positive reinforcement" learning program has been operated by The San Carlos district, which will be helpful to change the academic culture on the reservation. The district has also strengthened programs and experimented for the online learning of four years instructing students.
Edna Morris, superintendent of the Baboquivari district, said "We shared our data with our teachers and of course, it was very solemn for them." But, "sometimes when you get bad data like this is just propelling you to want to work harder." "I think that we will be back on track and I would like to see the scores increase for next year," told by Steele. "We know our kids can learn it." Added Morris.
Also Read: AzMERIT Result
- Nandini
