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Area schools follow statewide trend of lower standardized test scores as superintendents point to several causes
This graph indicates what percentage of students met grade-level standards on state standardized tests in each local school district in Fall 2021 and Spring 2019. Students last fall were tested on material they learned the year prior, as opposed to the current school year.
DAVENPORT-Students' standardized test scores dropped statewide in English/language arts (ELA) and math assessments between 2019 and 2021 tests, and local schools were no different.
Students were given standardized tests in Fall 2021 for the first time since Spring 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Local scores in ELA decreased 14.6% in Davenport, 13.8% in Reardan and 7.6% in Harrington.
Drops were mostly more drastic in math scores, decreasing 18.1% in Davenport, 17.7% in Reardan and 7% in Harrington.
However, area superintendents pointed to several likely factors that influenced a decline in standardized test success.
The fall tests, as Reardan-Edwall superintendent Eric Sobotta noted, covered the previous year's material.
"This fall was a different/shorter test and was covering materials from the year prior," Sobotta said in an email. "This upcoming spring testing would be the apples to apples you are looking for compared to 2019."
The Seattle Times reported on the decline in standardized test scores in January, which was up to or over 20% for many districts statewide. This was true locally, though Davenport, Reardan and Harrington didn't see full 20% decreases in ELA or math scores from 2019 to 2021.
However, the article, which circulated nationwide, didn't mention the fact that students were tested on material they had learned a year prior.
The test scores, available on the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction's website, even notes that "because students were assessed at a different time of year and in a different school year than when they learned the content, Fall 2021 trend is likely not meaningful."
As Davenport superintendent Jim Kowalkowski remarked, this meant that this year's fourth-graders were tested on material they learned in third grade. Additionally, the test occurred after school had already been going for several weeks and students were learning new material relevant to their present grade.
"You also have to throw in summer break and the new information they'd had to learn," Kowalkowski said.
The difference in tests also doesn't account for mental and emotional impacts the pandemic has had on students. These impacts are more significant than different testing styles, Kowalkowski argued.
"This (pandemic) has been stressful and hard. I think that's a bigger issue," he said. "The social and emotional stress, I've never seen anything like it in my 30 years in administration."
A more accurate assessment of student progress is likely to be found this spring, when more standardized tests will be administered. These tests will only cover materials from this school year.
"These scores are only a snapshot in time. We're hopeful we'll see improvement," Kowalkowski said.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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