Alabama test scores drop after pandemic interrupts classes

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Preliminary standardized test scores released Thursday showed an expected drop in student achievement last year after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted classes.

State education officials briefed school board members on the preliminary results from standardized tests students took last spring. The average ACT score for 11th graders in the 2020-21 school year was 17.2, compared to 18.2 the year prior. The percentage of students in second through eighth grades considered proficient in English language arts was under 53% for each grade. The percentage considered proficient in math ranged from 34% of second graders to only 14% of eighth graders.

Superintendent Eric Mackey said the drop was expected after schools “got our legs knocked out from under us with COVID.” Many schools implemented remote learning during portions of the COVID-19 pandemic and in-class learning was also interrupted when students were sent home to quarantine.

“Last year was a horrible year for teachers. We had students who were in school part of the time. They were out of school part of the time. We had students die. We had teachers die. We had parents to die. It was just a really bad year and the test results are going to show that,” Mackey said.

Students took a new assessment last year called the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, complicating comparisons with prior years. However, Mackey said the tests showed a drop in proficiency.

The drop was most dramatic in math. More than 40% of eighth-grade students were considered proficient in math in 2018-2019 tests, a number education officials had expressed concern about. That figure plummeted to 14% last year under the new assessment.

According to the scores discussed Thursday:

› 43% of second graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 34% were consider proficient in math.

› 51% of third graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 30% were considered proficient in math.

› 52% of fourth graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 24% were considered proficient in math.

› 46% of fifth graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 25% were considered proficient in math.

› 45% of sixth graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 22% were considered proficient in math.

› 43% of seventh graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 16% were considered proficient in math.

› 52% of eighth graders were considered proficient in English language arts and 14% were considered proficient in math.