Results from the spring 2022 Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress tests were released by the Iowa Department of Education on Wednesday, and they show signs of recovery from the pandemic, as most grades show improvement from the previous year’s tests.

According to a news release from the Iowa DOE, state-level results from the 2021-22 ISASP show proficiency gains at multiple grade levels, with English language arts performance mostly returning to pre-pandemic levels in grades three through eight. 11th grade test results declined the most from last year, with proficiency levels dropping by four percent at a state level.

Statewide results in math increased in grades three through seven, but grades eight through 11 experienced declines in proficiency. Science proficiency, which is assessed only in grades five, eight and 10, exceeded pre-pandemic scores in all three grades.

“This data reflects Iowa educators’ commitment to addressing the individual needs of their students and how the use of evidence-based supports can help students grow and flourish,” Iowa DOE Director Ann Lebo said. “We are moving in the right direction in many areas, but there is still work to be done. This crucial data will help schools with their improvement planning, target relief funds to address high-need areas and recapture the growth Iowa students experienced prior to the pandemic.”

According to the Iowa DOE release, Iowa’s participation rate for the ISASP was 98 percent in 2020-21 and 97 percent in 2021-22, providing a good idea of actual student performance across Iowa.

Results from Marshalltown and surrounding districts reflect the statewide results, for the most part. Comparing results from the 2020-21 school year and the results from the 2021-22 school year shows that English language arts proficiency within the MCSD exceeded last year’s results in all grades except six and 11. Grade six showed a 10 percent decline, and grade 11 showed a 5.2 percent decline.

East Marshall Community School District saw an increase in English language arts proficiency in grade three, and seven through nine, and a decrease in grades four through six, ten and 11. West Marshall Community School District proficiency increased in all grades except four, five, six and eight. GMG Community School District saw proficiency rate declines in all grades, except three, four and 10, where scores rose in English language arts. BCLUW experienced increased proficiency in all grades but five, seven and 11.

The MCSD exceeded last year’s math proficiency in all grades but six, eight, ten and 11. East Marshall’s math proficiency grew in grades three, six and seven, but decreased in the remaining grades. West Marshall’s proficiency exceeded last year’s numbers in grades three through eight but declined in grades nine through 11. BCLUW’s math proficiency rate grew in all grades except three, nine and 11.

Science proficiency declined in grade three for BCLUW, East Marshall and GMG, but increased for the MCSD and West Marshall. Grade five proficiency declined in grade eight in East Marshall, GMG and MCSD, but grew in BCLUW and West Marshall. Grade 10 proficiency grew in all districts except West Marshall.

To see a full breakdown of each Iowa school district’s proficiency rates, visit https://educateiowa.gov/documents/proficiency-district/2022/09/2021-2022-isasp-proficiency-rates-district-and-grade.

Contact Susanna Meyerat 641-753-6611 or smeyer@timesrepublican.com.