ISTEP+ Test Results

The spring ISTEP+ test was a little different than past exams. For the first time, the ISTEP+ was administered in the spring. This was a brand new version of the exam. Fort Wayne community schools blame lower averages on the newness of the exam. Parents FOX Fort Wayne spoke with say they are happy with their childs individual performance. Fort Wayne School districts ISTEP+ scores slipped slightly from the fall 2008 scores. Statewide 70 percent passed English, and 71 percent passed Math. 62 percent passed science and only 59 percent passed Social Studies. Mark Gia Quinta, the President of the Fort Wayne Community School Board, says “We fight the urge to get excited in good years and disappointed in bad years because its just another data point that we look at to consider weather or not our plan is working.” Dr. Wendy Robinson, The Superintendent of Fort Wayne Community Schools says “We look at district averages and we look at school averages, but we look at where the individual students have gaps in their progress, gaps in their skill knowledge.” Fort Wayne Community Schools says its unfair to compare these results with pervious years, because the Spring ISTEP+ is a whole new exam. School officials say they evaluate progress in education on a variety of components, not just state testing scores. Gia Quinta says “This is just part of our balance score card. To me this is just another data point, to see if we are headed in the right direction.” The new results will be used to help teachers better prepare students for the upcoming test. The next ISTEP+ test is in 115 days. Fort Wayne Community School officials say no extra schooling is given to children who fail the ISTEP+, unless they are in high school. High school students must pass the ISTEP+ exam to graduate. For grade by grade ISTEP+ results visit: http://www.doe.in.gov/istep/2009/index.html