Sussex school district’s DCAS scores outpace state

Despite relatively flat results from this year’s DCAS scores, the Indian River School District is relishing in its students’ performance on the state assessment test. 

The scores revealed that IRSD students in grades 3-10 who were proficient in reading, math, science and social studies surpassed the state average in all but two assessment areas.

More than 80 percent of students in third, fourth and fifth grades were deemed proficient in math. One example: 86 percent of fourth-graders demonstrated their proficiency in the subject, topping the state average by double digits.

In reading, the district was also particularly strong at the fifth-grade level, where more than 85 percent of students made the grade. The only areas where the district did not exceed the state average were in ninth- and 10th-grade math. 

Additionally, the district was recognized by the state for meeting several student growth targets. Seventy-three percent of students who scored at the lowest performance level in math on the fall 2013 assessment were able to meet or exceed the standard on the spring 2014 assessment. The percentage was 64 percent in reading. Indian River High School was especially strong in meeting growth targets in reading, with 82 percent of students meeting the standard in spring 2014 after falling short on the fall assessment.

The Delaware Comprehensive Assessment System for reading and math was discontinued. They will be replaced with the new Smarter Balanced assessment beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

“To maintain a consistent level of student performance during this time of educational change is a commendable achievement for our district,” Superintendent Susan Bunting said. “However, a closer look at the data reveals that the percentage of students meeting the standards actually decreased in most content areas from 2013. This is a concern that will be addressed prior to the implementation of the new Smarter Balanced assessment next school year.”