Dr. Reed disappointed in ISTEP+ results

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The annual statewide ISTEP+ test results are in and the scores dropped slightly from last year.

Overall, the average score for all students in the 3rd grade through 10th grade dropped about 1%. About 71% of students passed the English section, 74% passed Math and 60% passed Science.

State School Superintendent Suellen Reed said statistically, the decline is insignificant but she's disappointed.

"We don't want to offer excuses, but we did have some really bad weather during ISTEP this year," said Dr. Reed. "We have some schools where lots of kids moved out. We also have schools where the poverty rates have gone up."

As Reed prepares to leave public life for a private sector job she appears frustrated.

"And I'm not sure that everybody understands how important education is. This is the key to the future. This is what it's going to be about," said Reed.

Reed said her successor, Tony Bennett will inherit the difficult challenge of getting community members to support schools. She also predicts tougher times for Bennett as he tries to reverse the downward trend of test scores.

Reed said, "At a time when we need more individual time for individual students, we're seeing class sizes increase because of money problems. We're seeing smaller schools being closed."

But there is some good news for parents.

Instead of waiting for your school to send your child's individual ISTEP+ scores to you, you can now access them directly through a new feature on the Indiana Department of Education's Web site.

To be taken directly to the Parent Network click here.