By Jacqueline Rabe Thomas
As expected, the standardized test scores parents are accustomed to seeing for their child’s school have plunged as the state implements a harder test aligned with the controversial Common Core State Standards.
Scores released Friday for tests taken last school year show that 39 percent of Connecticut public school students were judged proficient on the state’s math exam — a significant drop from 83 percent in 2013. In English, 55 percent of students were judged proficient last year — down from 81 percent in reading and 84 percent in writing in 2013.
State education officials weren’t surprised. They have been warning the drop would happen, as it has in other states that switched to exams aligned with the Common Core.
The number of students electing not to take the state exams also rose last school year — a trend referred to as the “opt-out movement.” Concern has grown among parents that their children are spending too much time in school being tested or being prepared for tests. [Westport had an 87.7 percent participation rate in English and 87.6 percent in math.]
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