Arkansas' Annual Improvement Gains Levels for Grades 3-8 - Flash Player Required | Download
Gain Index - EXCEL March 14, 2009
Understanding the Report - PDF March 2009
 View the Report Card
Dear Parents:
The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to provide the 2008 Arkansas School Performance Report. The statistical information in this report will enable you to determine the performance of your child's school on various measures, as well as other schools in your school district, the state and the nation. I encourage you to carefully review the information and contact your school with specific questions or concerns.
It is the intent of the Governor, the Arkansas General Assembly and the Arkansas State Board of Education to showcase performance and accountability in our schools. We hope that this report will empower you, as parents or guardians, to become more engaged in the process.
The majority of the data presented in the report is a result of requirements contained in the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing, Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP). ACTAAP has been the most important blueprint for educational reform in our state and is anchored by our Smart Arkansas Initiative, which encompasses Smart Start (Grades K-4), Smart Step (Grades 5-8) and Smart Arkansas (Grades 9-12). Smart Arkansas represents the state's effort to provide the support, resources and necessary interventions to produce an education system that will prepare all Arkansas public school students to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
If you need additional information about the Arkansas School Performance Report, please contact your local school administrator.
T. Kenneth James, Ed.D.
Commissioner, Arkansas Department of Education
Division of Public School Academic Accountability:
- Dr. Charity Smith, Assistant Commissioner
- Willie Morris, Education Lead Planner
- Louis Ferren, Data Manager
- Oliver Dillingham, Program Manager
- Kimberly Millins, Special Projects Coordinator
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Overview
The goal of the Arkansas School Performance Report (Report Card) is to disseminate statistical performance information to students, parents and interested community members so that they can work with their schools to ensure that Arkansas provides every student with access to an extraordinary education.
View Performance Reports
From the NORMES School Performance site, you can view an on-line version of the performance report for the state, or view and compare by district or school.
Arkansas Benchmark Scores Continue Steady Climb
Arkansas students continued to show improvement in the latest round of state Benchmark scores, with increases being made at every grade level which also resulted in a closing of the achievement gap for the second consecutive year. For the first time ever, in 2008 more than 50 percent of students scored proficient or advanced on the Arkansas Benchmark exams. Other Arkansas Benchmark firsts include:
- First time more than 60% proficient and above in Grade 3 Literacy
- First time more than 70% proficient and above in Grade 4 Math
- First time more than 60% proficient and above in Grade 4 Literacy
- First time more than 60% proficient and above in Grade 5 Literacy Performance Report
- First time more than 70% proficient and above in Grade 6 Math
- First time more than 60% proficient and above in Grade 7 Math
- First time more than 50% proficient and above in Grade 8 Math
Arkansas students improved performance in geometry and algebra in 2008 from the previous year:
- Of the 35,602 students taking the algebra I end-of-course exam in April, 66 percent scored proficient and above. That compares to 61 percent in 2007.
- Of the 986 students taking the geometry end-of-course exam in January, 68 percent scored proficient and above. That compares to 61 percent in 2007.
The number of Arkansas students taking the ACT test has increased from 21,005 in 2006 to 21,403 in 2007 and 22,545 in 2008. Arkansas students improved performance on ACT tests in 2008 from the previous year:
- The Arkansas English ACT score was 20.7 compared to 20.5 in 2007.
- The Arkansas Math ACT score was 20.1 compared to 19.9 in 2007.
- The Arkansas Reading ACT score was 21.0 compared to 20.9 in 2007.
- The Arkansas Science ACT score was 20.3 compared to 20.2 in 2007.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Charity Smith, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Public School Academic Accountability
Arkansas Department of Education
Four Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: 501-682-1298
Or, contact your local school administrator.
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