Greenwich High Dips in Science, Grows in Writing

GREENWICH, Conn. — Greenwich High School sophomores posted minor gains and losses on the results of the 2011 Connecticut Academic Performance Test released Tuesday. Compared with last year, students increased in writing scores, decreased in science scores and maintained scores for reading and mathematics.

The state Department of Education released this year's CAPT results Tuesday morning. Every year, Connecticut high school sophomores are required to take this standardized test that measures math, science, reading and writing. The scores are measured as advanced, goal, proficient, basic and below basic.

Greenwich continues to surpass state averages in all subject areas, as in years past. “We are very encouraged by the increase in the writing scores in Grade 10 at Greenwich High School, particularly at the advanced level,” said Sidney Freund, superintendent of Greenwich Public Schools.

In writing, 94.8 percent of the 695 sophomores who took tests scored at the proficient level, a 0.8 percent increase from 2010; 81.9 percent tested at the goal level, a 0.6 percent increase from last year; and 54.1 percent scored at the advanced level, compared to last year’s 48.4 percent.

“In science, we have lost a bit of ground from the gains achieved in 2010, however, we are still trending up over a five-year period.” 

Of the 693 sophomores who tested in science this year, 93.1 percent scored at the proficient level, down 7 percent from 2010; 62.8 percent scored at the goal level, compared to last year’s 64.8 percent; and 35.5 percent scored at the advanced level, down from last year’s 37.5 percent.

Reading and mathematics scores stayed relatively the same. Of the 687 sophomore students tested for reading, 93.1 percent scored at the proficient level, down slightly from 94.6 percent in 2010; 66.9 percent scored at the goal level, up 0.7 percent from 2010; and 33.6 percent scored at the advanced level, just a 0.1 percent increase from last year.

In 2011, of the 688 sophomores who tested for reading, 92.2 percent scored at the proficient level, up from last year’s 91.2 percent; 71.9 percent tested at the goal level, down from last year’s 72.3 percent; and 38.5 percent scored in the advanced level, down slightly from last year’s 39.3 percent.

As far as future plans for increasing test scores, Freund said, “The high school has a strong leadership team in place for 2011, one that will work with the faculty in analyzing the data to target their improvement strategies and adjust their school improvement plan accordingly.”

Greenwich High School Headmaster Chris Winters could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Percent of Students at/above “Goal”

                                Greenwich     State Grade 10

Math 2008                    68              50.2

Math 2009                    70.2           48

Math 2010                    72.3           48.9

Math 2011                    71.9           49.6

 

Science 2008               53.2             46.5

Science 2009               61.9             43

Science 2010               64.8             45.5

Science 2011               62.8             47.2

 

Reading 2008               60.8             45.5

Reading 2009               71                47.5

Reading 2010               66.2             45.9

Reading 2011               66.9             44.8

 

Writing 2008                78.8             57.9

Writing 2009                79.1             55

Writing 2010                81.3             59.6

Writing 2011                81.9             61.3

 

What do you think Greenwich could do to raise its scores? Are you pleased with the averages Greenwich students have reached? Comment below or email ahelhoski@thedailygreenwich.com

Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenwich and receive free news updates.