State releases End of Course Test scores

High School students in Polk County are having trouble with math, according to results from End of Course Testing released by the state this month.

According to the results, at least 60 percent of students failed to pass the coordinate algebra and analytic geometry, but those percentages are also being seen in school statewide.

Specifically, some 60 percent of the 419 high school students who took analytic geometry in Polk County failed to meet the standards on the test, while more than 67 percent failed to meet the standards in coordinate algebra. According to the figures, 14 students also took the Geometry-Algebra II-Statistics end of course test, and out of those 85 percent of students failed to meet the state requirements. Less than half a dozen students were able to pass the test.

Compared to the statewide tally of 4,946 students who took the test, Polk County’s pass-failure rate is only slightly worse. Only 22 percent of the students who took the test in the state passed, with 77 percent failing to meet the state standards. Less than a percent exceeding the state standards.

Test scores were better in subjects involving reading and language arts. In ninth grade literature and composition, for instance, half of all Polk County high school students passed the test by the state requirements, and 37 percent exceeded the state requirements.

St udents in American Literature and Composition also achieved a 57 percent pass rate, and a 34 percent rate of exceeding expectations on the test.

Polk students also achieved their highest marks this year in Physical Science, where 54 percent of students exceeded the state’s standards, with 32 percent meeting the standards and 13 percent failing.

Figures also pointed to a need for some added focus for some students in history, economics and biology.

Economics students had a 44 percent exceeded expectations rate, but 16 percent of students were unable to meet the state’s requirements. Only 39 percent met the requirements.

Biology scores bore out a 28 percent failure rate, with 47 percent of students meeting the requirements and 24 percent exceeding them.

The Standard Journal attempted to discuss the test scores with school administrators about End of Course Test scores, but they did not get back to this reporter prior to press time.