Indiana releases scores for new ECA exams

Indiana Department of Education Release:


The Indiana Department of Education released 2010 End-of-Course Assessment (ECA) scores today. Student results varied across the state. Of students who took the respective tests, 61 percent passed the Algebra 1 test, 63 percent passed the English 10 test, and 37 percent passed the Biology1 test. This is the first time ECAs have been used for accountability in Indiana. Therefore, final student scores were delayed slightly so new cut scores could be set.

“Much like the first spring administration of the ISTEP+ exam for grades 3-8 in 2009, these scores serve as a baseline for schools and school corporations,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett said. “We believe our students can and must perform better in the future, and I hope teachers and administrators will use this data to drive instructional improvement in those areas where students need the most help. I am confident our educators will help our students achieve through increased academic rigor.”

Current graduation testing guidelines require students in the class of 2012 and beyond to pass the Algebra 1 and English 10 assessments. Participation in the Biology 1 assessment fulfills a requirement under No Child Left Behind (NCLB).

Unlike the former Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE), ECAs are not administered to all tenth grade students at one time. Instead, they are administered when a student completes the course being tested. Also, in contrast to the GQE (which will be administered for the final time in March to students belonging to the class of 2011), ECAs do not necessarily reflect the achievement of a single grade level of students. This makes it very difficult to compare results from school to school. In many corporations, Algebra I is offered prior to high school to varying percentages of students who have demonstrated advanced achievement in mathematics. For example, Lakeside Middle School in Ft. Wayne only had 24 test takers in Algebra 1, resulting in 96 percent passing. By comparison Northrop High School, also in Ft. Wayne, had 992 test takers in Algebra 1, with a 54 percent passing rate. To make the most valid comparisons, data should be analyzed at the corporation level, instead of by individual school.

“The ECAs are critical tools to help predict student success following high school,” Bennett said. “To successfully compete in the 21st century economy, students must master these subjects which serve as a foundation of college and career readiness. In addition, we must improve so students are not spending time in college taking remediation courses because they didn’t master this material in high school.”

Students who fail an ECA are less likely to be prepared for entry-level college courses. Assuming every student who failed an ECA this year would need some remediation during college, IDOE’s calculations show that these 140,000 students would spend an estimated additional $26 million at various higher education institutions simply to obtain the skills necessary to begin college-level coursework.

Student results were provided to schools and parents in September. Every student receives a comprehensive Individual Student Report indicating performance with a Pass+, Pass or Did Not Pass. The report also shows specific areas of strength the student might have in that particular content area. Parents have online access to a copy of their student’s short answer and essay responses and should contact their student’s school for more information.

To view a full list of individual results for Indiana school and school corporations, click here:
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