Student writing scores released

On Thursday, August 23, 2007, the Nebraska Department of Education released the final Statewide Writing Assessment results for 2006-2007. All students in grades 4, 8 , and 11 participated in the writing event last February. The writing papers were scored by trained educators at the Educational Service Unit in Omaha during the month of March. The raters gave each paper a score ranging from 1-4, and each paper was double scored so the final score ranged from 2-8 (8 being a perfect score). Cut scores (score at which student writing was considered proficient) were determined for all three grade levels. The students in all levels at Falls City Public Schools were above the State average.

The chart below details the cut scores, state average, Falls City Public School student average, and percent of students considered proficient at each grade level.

* Includes Maple Grove School

Teachers and students are to be commended for their efforts to continually emphasize writing skills within the Language Arts curriculum and in all areas of the curriculum. The emphasis on writing skills will continue to be a part of ongoing school improvement efforts to support district school improvement goals. The efforts reflect the desire to improve student learning in all areas of literacy across the curriculum. Rita Johansen, principal of South School, is District 56 Assessment Director.