Freeman Eighth-Graders Did Best

In the Freeman School District, the highest scores on the standardized tests went to the eighth-graders. They scored in the 71st pecentile in reading and language, 73 in math and 77 in science.

That’s no surprise to Freeman Elementary assistant principal Kent Smith. Students in the rural district south of the Spokane Valley often perform well on the standardized tests. Kent described that particular group of students as high achievers and, to prove his point, checked in his files for their fourth-grade scores from 1993.

“Sure they scored high: 64 in reading, 65 in language, 60th in math.”

On the other hand Freeman’s fourth-grade class this year struggled some with the tests, scoring 47 in reading, 49 in language, 44 in math and 51 in science.

All of Freeman’s special education students took the test, Kent pointed out. That’s not the case in all districts.

In Freeman, as in other districts, the fourth graders have another test this spring: the new state assessments. Last year’s fourth-graders at Freeman did well on those tests. This year’s class may not.

“We’re on the hot-seat with these kids,” Kent said.

Freeman’s 11th graders scored 58 in English, 57 in history, 65 in math and 65 in science.

In the Liberty School District in southern Spokane County, fourth graders scored at the 41st percentile in reading, 36 in language, 43 in math and 43 in science.

Eighth-graders scored 33 in reading, 38 in language, 51 in math and 48 in science.

Liberty’s 11th-graders scored 46 in English, 42 in history, 61 in math and 48 in science.

, DataTimes