10/07/2010: "Good Test Results"

By Rick Thompson

For the 2010 spring testing seasons, students in the San Juan Island School District took part in the state assessments now called the Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) and at the high school level High School Proficiency Examination (HSPE).

These tests replaced the Washington Assessment of Student Learning or WASL. State tests are designed to see if students can master basic content in reading, math and science (along with demonstrating writing proficiency).

The assessment questions are derived from state standards in those subject areas. Students in the SJISD outperformed their peers in the state in all subject areas and at all grade levels. This test will be given annually with make up opportunities available in the summer at the high school level. You can find the district scores at the state education website found at www.k12.wa.us by clicking on the school report card for San Juan Island School District.

The district wishes to thank our hard-working teachers, our students, and their parents for participating in the test. Each family receives an individual student report which describes areas of strength as well as areas for each student to work on. Regular homework habits, understanding content standards as well as the structure of the assessment, and reading to your child are some of the ways you can help your child reach mastery on the tests.

State tests scores are used to determine a district’s standing called Adequate Yearly Progress as defined by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. At this time the district as a whole and each school site is meeting our progress goals as defined by the legislation.

( Mr. Thompson is the SJI Schoold District Superintnedent