THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 30, 1995 TAG: 9508290122
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA MCNATT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
Sixth-graders in county schools earned the highest reading scores ever last spring on the State Literacy Passport Test.
The sixth-graders scored an all-time high in reading, while the percent of students who passed all three tests missed being a high by less than five percentage points.
``These test results represent the time and effort of many people,'' said William Birchette, assistant superintendent for educational services. ``Teachers, assistant principals, principals and coordinators should celebrate this success.
``But the real stars are our young people. They have worked since kindergarten to reach this benchmark.''
The Literacy Passport test has three parts and was given to the state's sixth-graders in the spring. The mathematics test has 90 questions, the reading test has 77, and the writing test is an actual paper written during the test session. All tests are scored professionally outside the school division.
Until they pass all three tests, students are ungraded in high school and cannot earn a regular diploma.
``We have raised concern about the LPT,'' Birchette said. ``Many parents do not realize its importance until it's too late.''
A chart of LPT scores shows Isle of Wight sixth-graders ranking no less than fourth or fifth when compared to surrounding school districts, above the state average in the three subject areas, and outscoring wealthier, less diverse school districts.
``When people ask whether or not our students are competitive or do the taxpayers of the county get a fair return on their dollar, the answer is YES,'' Birchette said. Superintendent Dr. Jane T. York ``believes in our children and in the abilities of our teachers and staff to produce successful learners and productive citizens. The School Board fully supports that approach, and parents are committed to it.''
Birchette called the test results a ``team effort.''
``Hopefully,'' he added, ``better test results are yet to come.'' ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
TEST RESULTS
Report of the Virginia Literacy Testing Program, spring 1995
Percent passing reading
Isle of Wight 80.4
Chesapeake 77.2
Southampton 74.3
Suffolk 71.6
Surry 69.6
State 80.4
Percent passing writing
Isle of Wight 78.6
Chesapeake 75.5
Southampton 66.3
Suffolk 66.1
Surry 58.2
State 77.6
Percent passing math
Surry 86.7
Isle of Wight 86.1
Chesapeake 81.8
Suffolk 78.6
Southampton 66.5
State 83.6
Percent passing all 3 tests
Isle of Wight 64.9
Chesapeake 62.3
Suffolk 49.2
Surry 48.9
Southampton 46.4
State 65.6
KEYWORDS: LITERACY PASSPORT STANDARDIZED TESTING by CNB