Seattle student test scores exceed state averages in most areas

SEATTLE -- Seattle Public School Superintendent Jose Banda said Monday that Seattle students made significant academic gains during the 2012-2013 school year.

The preliminary scores released by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction show Seattle students outperforming the state average in multiple subjects.

“We have a lot to be proud of in Seattle Public Schools, and I believe we have some of the most committed educators in the state,” Banda said.

In 2013, Seattle students met or exceeded standard on the state exams at a higher rate than the previous year (2012) in 19 of 21 exams taken. Seattle also exceeded the 2013 statewide average in 19 of 21 exams, remaining slightly behind in only 10th grade reading and writing.

Banda said the district widened its lead over statewide averages in 18 exams reflecting a trend in recent years of increasing separation between Seattle and the state as a whole.

Scores for 8th grade math increased the most, with 69.4 percent meeting or exceeding standard in 2013 versus 64.1 percent in 2012 — a 5.3 percentage point increase.

The test results released by OSPI provide results from student examinations that took place in spring 2013. Students in grades 3 through 8 took the MSP tests in reading, math, writing (grades 4 and 7 only) and science (grades 5 and 8 only). Students in 10th grade took the HSPE in reading and writing. High school students (and some middle school students) also took the EOC exams in math (algebra or geometry) and science (biology).

Complete information concerning the 2013 state test results for each school, grade level and student subgroup may be found at the OSPI report card (http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us).