State sees uptick in ISTEP scores

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Indiana saw a small uptick in ISTEP scores across the board for the 2011-2012 school year, according to scores released Tuesday by the Indiana Department of Education.

Statewide score increases were 1 or 2 percent, depending on the subject. Average state scores improved 1 percent for English/language arts, and 2 percent for math, science and social studies.

ONLINE EXTRA | Click here to search for scores for each district.

Overall, 79 percent of students statewide passed the English test, 81 percent passed math, 71 percent passed science and 69 percent passed social studies.

The goal is to have 90 percent of students pass math and English.

"We should be saying that should happen as soon as possible," said state Superintendent of Education Tony Bennett. "I hope next year we see gains to that end."

The Indianapolis Public Schools district is willing to pay for continuing improvement. The district plans to spend $6 illion for consultants to work with teachers at 15 schools. That training starts next week and will last three years.

“They are going to bring us coaches to train our coaches so we can sustain our improvement,” said Li Yen Johnson, IPS associate superintendent. “They are also going to teach us how to be more efficient."

This year, IPS saw its pass rate increase by 3 percent. Yet its overall passing rate is 48.3 percent. That’s the third worst in the state. School leaders said they will work hard to turn those numbers around.

The statewide standardized test is administered in the spring to students in third to eighth grades.