47 percent of Manatee third-grade students pass state English language arts exam

Forty-seven percent of Manatee County third-grade students who took the English language arts state test this spring, which is tied to promoting students to the fourth grade, passed the test by earning a level 3 or higher score.

Statewide, 54 percent of third-grade students who took the test earned a level 3 or higher score, up 1 percentage point from last year. Manatee County’s number also moved up 1 percentage point.

The numbers reflect more work that needs to be done in the lower grades to ensure students are ready to take the tests when they get to third grade, Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Cynthia Saunders said. Although 47 percent passed, 53 percent of the 4,186 students who took the test failed.

“Third grade is our weakest area,” she said.

Saunders said the Manatee County School District will focus more on phonics instruction and training for teachers in those lower grades in an effort to help struggling students.

Although there’s more work to be done, Saunders noted some schools saw major improvements. Sixteen traditional elementary schools scored above the state average and many schools improved their passing percentage by 10 points or more, she said.

“Blackburn went up 19 points,” she said. “That was our largest improvement.”

At Blackburn, 42 percent of the third-grade students who took the test passed, according to the data.

2016 is the second year students took state exams tied to new state standards modeled off Common Core standards. The third-grade tests are of particular importance because they are one measure used to promote students to the next grade level.

If students fail to earn a level 2 score or higher, based on a level 1 through level 5 scale, they are flagged for retention. Twenty-nine percent, or about 1,200, Manatee students scored a level 1, and 24 percent, about 1,000 students, scored a level 2, according to state data.

Students flagged for retention can still be promoted to the fourth grade through other methods, including a portfolio review. The portfolios include classroom work that show whether the student has mastered the material and is capable of doing fourth-grade work.

The districts were provided with schools breakdowns but have not yet received individual student scores, Saunders said, so they cannot yet begin promoting students for good cause or because of their portfolios.

This story was originally published May 19, 2016 at 5:08 PM with the headline "47 percent of Manatee third-grade students pass state English language arts exam."