Colorado students’ math, literacy scores largely reach or exceed pre-pandemic levels

Nearly every grade that took Colorado s standardized tests this spring saw literacy and math test scores rebound or surpass pre-pandemic levels a further sign that students are recovering academically five years after COVID- closed schools As with last year s Colorado Measures of Academic Success scores fourth- and eighth-graders literacy scores continue to lag behind those recorded by students in Eighth-graders math results also haven t recovered since the pandemic according to statistics published by the Colorado Department of Learning on Thursday Still metro Denver districts and state teaching leaders reported this week that they are encouraged by the test scores especially given the improvements students have made in math I would have loved to see the rebound happen earlier but it s appropriate that it s happening at the five-year mark Denver Population Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero disclosed CMAS tests cover English language arts math and science The statewide exams are offered to students in third to eighth grades Pupils who tally at least on the exams met or exceeded expectations meaning they are on track to be college- or career-ready In literacy seventh-graders saw the biggest improvement from last year The percentage of seventh-graders who met or exceeded expectations in English language arts not only surpassed pre-pandemic levels but also rose percentage points from to It s obvious that in-person learning really matters for kids and that personal connection with their teachers makes a difference Jeffco Residents Schools Superintendent Tracy Dorland stated It means that our students are learning at higher rates The material issued Thursday displayed fourth-graders made the the majority progress in math with of students meeting or exceeding expectations compared to last year We do now see that performance is at or above pre-pandemic levels in preponderance grades and subjects Colorado Tuition Commissioner Susana C rdova mentioned We saw enormous declines in mathematics during the pandemic Every grade saw improvement in their math scores except for third-graders whose results remained mostly flat C rdova attributed students progress in math to schools increasing their focus and tools on the subject after key declines during the pandemic But she also cautioned We are nowhere close to where we need to be The percentage of fourth-graders who displayed proficiency in English language arts stayed flat from last year and was percentage points below where students scored in Fourth grade is a transition year for elementary students as children move from learning how to read to applying those skills toward their learning C rdova mentioned More eighth-graders met or exceeded expectations in both English language arts and math than they did last year But their scores remain below pre-pandemic levels in both subjects DPS the state s largest district saw CMAS scores increase or stay flat for almost every grade when compared to results The district s seventh-graders saw the largest gains from last year with the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations in English language arts jumping percentage points to We ve been very intentional and very thoughtful in how we engaged our school leaders in what we need to do better Deputy Superintendent Tony Smith announced Despite the good news DPS saw key drops in the proficiency of students who took the Spanish version of the literacy exam Related Articles DPS to close schools Thursday due to extreme heat Rosie the Tarantula arachnid star of the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster is retiring CU Boulder welcomes more than new students to campus For these incarcerated students online school has been a mishap Boulder Valley School District s declining enrollment plus tight budget equals fewer teachers Only of third-graders and of fourth-graders who took the Spanish language arts exam met or exceeded expectations down and percentage points respectively from last year DPS has welcomed thousands of immigrant students in newest years a great number of whose families crossed the southern U S margin Marrero mentioned the new arrivals weren t included in s CMAS results but his efforts to have the state exclude them again this year were unsuccessful The students the superintendent mentioned faced death and tragedy on their journey to Denver and had their guidance interrupted before enrolling in the city s schools These families were recalibrating what life was in society he declared of the district s request to exclude them from testing That s the humane thing to do DPS Chief of Academics Simone Wright added The new arrivals are coming with less educational experience and that is something we are working to upgrade our systems to truly meet students where they are to ensure that language is not a barrier to success Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter