Grand Island schools state test scores show growth
State testing scores throughout the Grand Island public school districts are showcasing positive growth trends in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic’s upset to the statewide educational balance.
Said test scores, released on Nov. 22, show that in the 2022-23 school year, students across all tested grades rebounded by a number of percentage points across all three subject areas. These scores are even higher than pre-pandemic years in both the Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS) and the Northwest Public Schools districts.
English language arts and mathematics tests are given in grades three through eight, science is tested in fifth and eighth grades and juniors take the ACT assessment.
For the GIPS district, 43% of students scored proficient in English language arts — meaning they were either on track or advanced in the subject. This was an increase from 35% the prior year (2021-22). Proficiency in math was 51%, up from 36%. In science, 62% of students scored proficient, an increase from 58%. Proficiency percentages in each of the three categories came in below state averages.
Grand Island Public Schools Supt. Matt Fisher was positive about the district’s overall proficiency growth since last year.
“We are delighted to report that every GIPS School improved in proficiency rates across the district,” Fisher said. “The teaching and learning taking place in our 700-plus classrooms is making a positive impact.”
For Northwest Public Schools students, 68% of students scored proficient in English language arts, an increase from 52% the prior year. Proficiency in math was 81%, up from 66%. In science, 87% of students scored proficient, an increase from 74%. Proficiency percentages in each of the three categories came in above state averages.
Scores for the 2020-21 school year, released two years ago, showed the first evidence of an academic slide, fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic that shuttered school buildings in March 2020. Those test scores aren't documented because more than 8,500 statewide students did not participate in testing at the time. That and other disruptions, from quarantines to remote learning, prompted state officials to caution about reading too much into those results.
Brian Maher, Nebraska's education commissioner, said in a Nov. 22 press conference that the Nebraska Department of Education expected the improvement, especially because the assessment included revised English language arts standards, which were new in 2022.
"When there is a new assessment or a significant change to an existing assessment, new cut scores — the scores that determine levels of proficiency — are set," he said. "These new cut scores better reflect student achievement in Nebraska when compared to their student peers nationally."
Maher said that while the improvement is positive, the scores show there are achievement gaps for student subgroups, such as those in special education, those who are low income or those who are English learners.
“While Nebraska’s statewide assessments showed student and school growth and improvement, it also showcased the need for focused efforts in several areas,” Maher said. “We need to continue to work together as a state to provide the best possible opportunities for every student to succeed and be prepared for life after school.”
In addition to releasing test scores, state officials on Wednesday also released accountability ratings for schools and districts, labeling them as excellent, great, good or needing assistance based on state test scores and other factors.
Overall, the GIPS district received the rating of “good.” The Northwest Public Schools district earned a “great” rating.
In an effort to keep momentum going forward, topics like focusing on instruction will continue to be a district priority for GIPS, Fisher noted.
“We can clearly see that our students of all ages are improving,” he concluded. “It will be critical to stay the course with focused instruction, implementation of effective Professional Learning Communities and positive supports.”
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