RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - A review of the 2017-18 Missouri Assessment Program scores shows Russellville middle school students need some improvement compared to other students in the state. Superintendent Perry Gorrell said the results are comparable to the state scores but could be better.
"Our ELA scores are probably our strongest suit within our district," Gorrell said.
Students are tested in English, math, science and social studies. Tests show the percentage of students who scored below basic, basic, proficient and advanced.
The district scores for middle school showed 40.5 percent of sixth-graders tested proficient in English, better than the state average of 37.1.
Russellville seventh-graders tested 35.4 percent basic and eighth-grade scores were 25 percent basic in the same subject. Scores were just below state average.
The results are based on new assessments for English language arts and math from the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Gorrell expressed concern for the district's social studies scores. Tests over American history and government were lower in proficient and advanced scores.
The district's proficient scores were 22.9 percent in American government and 32.5 percent in government. The state scores showed 30.4 percent and 40.6 percent, respectively.
"ELA and math have a longer window of instruction than social studies and science," Gorrell said. "But at the end of the day American government and soon to be the other history test accounts for the same amount of points," Gorrell said.
The board discussed looking into if social studies and science can be included in other subjects to increase information.
On the high school level, juniors who took the ACT in 2017 scored an average composite score of 20.1.
The board also accepted a $4,885 Fence Pro bid for an elementary playground at its Feb. 21 meeting.