What's Happening in Shelton, CT…

Connecticut students who took the SAT on the first day are excelling in English according the recently received results.

High school juniors take the SAT instead of the Smarter Balanced exams to reduce the amount of standardized tests. Around 75% of Shelton test takers and 65% overall did satisfactory or outstanding on the English exam with an average score of 540. Math seemed to be the least proficient subject for the students as 54% of Shelton test takers and nearly 40% overall passed the math exam. The average math score was 540. The Board of Education will use the scores to measure student improvement. According to Dianne Wentzell, the State Education Commissioner, students demonstrate they are ready for college and careers in English but still have problems in math. Student seemed to wrestle with math with the test scores last year as well.

There was also a significant difference in minority student test results, which scored at a lower average overall compared to white students. Lower income students also had lower overall scores. Wentzell disclosed that the Board of Education have a five-year plan to bring up the scores for students of all demographics and eliminate the academic gaps.

Posting the average results of the SATs in the school or Board of Education newsletter would let parents know about the overall struggle students have with math. They may be able to tutor their child and other children to help bring scores up.