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Redesigned MEA Scores Show Improvement

Scores in Grades 3 through 8 rise in math, reading and science

August 23, 2007

AUGUSTA – Test scores for Maine students in grades 3 through 8 improved or remained the same in reading, math and science since last year. Schools across Maine have received student and school reports from the Maine Educational Assessment (MEA), redesigned last year to measure the achievement of all students’ progress toward meeting Maine’s Learning Results, as required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), in reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 8. The assessment continues to measure science and technology at grades 4 and 8 and writing at grades 5 and 8.

In addition to improved average scaled scores, the percentage of students who met or exceeded the standards increased in every grade and subject area, except third grade reading where the percent remained unchanged. The data will be used as the basis for determining the list of schools making Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB. That list will become available sometime in September.

This year’s results provide the second year of data since achievement standards were reset and allow for year-to-year comparison. Comparisons were not possible last year because the new standards had not been previously in place. The standards are reset roughly every five years.

“These results, which include individual schools and statewide data for grades 3 through 8, will provide rich information to us and to schools, allowing data-driven decision-making on implementing Maine’s Learning Results,” said Education Commissioner Susan A. Gendron. “This provides a great tool for improving teaching and learning.”

The MEA is a challenging test, composed of a combination of multiple-choice questions and items that require students to construct their responses. Scores are reported by the percent of students scoring in each of four achievement levels: Exceeds, Meets, Partially Meets, and Does Not Meet the standards, as well as on a standards-based scale of 80 points.

A summary of MEA results, including school level scores, may be viewed at the Maine Department of Education homepage at: http://www.maine.gov/education/mea/edmea.htm . This MEA data will provide the basis for Adequate Yearly Progress reports to be released in September. Scores for the Maine High School Assessment will be released in September.

Selected Observations from MEA Data

• Averaged scaled scores for all grades in all subject areas have remained the same or increased since last year.

• The percentage of students who met or exceeded the standards increased in every grade and subject area (except third grade reading, where the percent remained unchanged).

• The No Child Left Behind Act requires that at least 95% of all students in grades 3 through 8 take part in the MEA. In Maine, 99% of students took part at each grade and in each subject, which is a reflection of the commitment of Maine schools to include all students, according to Gendron. The MEA is designed so that all students can participate in the test through standard administration, with approved accommodations, or through alternate assessment.

• Across all grades, a greater percentage of females than males met proficiency in reading and writing, which is consistent with past performance and national trends. There were no significant differences in the numbers of students meeting proficiency in mathematics or science based on gender.

• There is a strong correlation at all grades that a moderate amount of homework (up to 2 hours on school nights) is associated with stronger performance. This conclusion is based on a questionnaire completed by students as part of the test.

• Those students who report reading more than 20 minutes at home each day perform considerably better on the assessment.

Summary data and additional data by school and by district is available online at: http://www.maine.gov/education/mea/edmea.htm

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David Connerty-Marin, Director of Communications, Department of Education, 207-624-6880

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