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Connecticut's grade from Education Week: C+
A January 2008 report from the newspaper Education Week shows that
Connecticut students' test results have fallen more than those in
nearly every other state and that the achievement gap between our
low-income students and the rest of our students is bigger than
anywhere else in the nation. Overall, Connecticut earned a "C+" from
Education Week, slightly higher than the "C" the average state
earned.
Download the report card (PDF) |
Visit Education
Week's home page
No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
The federal No Child Left Behind
Act of 2001 (NCLB) dramatically changed the federal government's
role in education by instituting a test-based system of
accountability. It calls for every state to set standards in reading
and math and for every student to be proficient at those subjects by
2014. Students in grades 3 through 8 are tested yearly, and reports
are issued as to whether schools are making "adequate yearly
progress'' toward that goal.
National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP)
The National Assessment of
Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as "the Nation's Report
Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing
assessment of what America's students know and can do in various
subject areas. Since 1969, assessments have been conducted
periodically in reading, mathematics, science, writing, U.S.
history, civics, geography, and the arts.
National NAEP reports information for
the nation and specific geographic regions of the country. It
includes students drawn from both public and nonpublic schools and
reports results for student achievement at grades 4, 8, and 12.
Since 1990, NAEP assessments have also been conducted to give
results for participating states.
Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT)
The Connecticut Mastery Test
(CMT) was developed to provide an accurate assessment of how well
students statewide are meeting the standards of achievement
established by the State Board of Education in reading, writing and
mathematics. Starting in 1986, the state annually tested students in
grades 4, 6 and 8. In 2006, it moved to a new generation of the CMT,
added assessments in Grades 3, 5 and 7, and shifted testing to the
spring to meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind
Act (NCLB) of 2001.
For all grades, CMT test scores are reported at five achievement
levels: below basic, basic, proficient, goal and advanced. The
percentage of students scoring at or above proficiency is used to
meet the NCLB standards. However, Connecticut continues to use the
higher standard of goal or above as the standard for achievement.
(Taken from the state Department of Education publication "The
Condition of Education in Connecticut," August 2007.
Download the PDF)
Connecticut Academic Performance Test
(CAPT)
Grade 10 students take the
Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT) in the spring of each
year. This test assesses student performance in mathematics,
science, reading and writing. Like the CMT, CAPT scores are reported
at five achievement levels: below basic, basic, proficient, goal and
advanced. While Connecticut uses the proficient level for NCLB
purposes, the state continues to use the higher standard of goal or
above as its benchmark for achievement. (Taken from the state
Department of Education publication "The Condition of Education in
Connecticut," August 2007.
Download the PDF)
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