The latest results from the annual state math assessment of Idaho students confirm the concerns of many parents and educators: More time and attention needs to be given to math education.
"Fortunately, we now have a plan to help those students who are struggling with math," Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said in a press release this week. "The public schools budget includes $350,000 to create a Math Initiative that will help Idaho's children master critical math skills."
The percentage of students scoring below proficiency on the Direct Math Assessment dropped across all grades that took the exam in 2006. For example, only 45 percent of sixth-grade students scored proficient or above on the assessment, compared to 54 percent who scored proficient the previous year.
The Idaho Department of Education, in conjunction with local educators, will develop and present the Math Initiative to the Legislature, Luna said.
"We want to model the Math Initiative after the successful Reading Initiative, which has helped many Idaho students reach grade-level in reading over the last decade," Luna said.
Student scores on the 2006 Direct Writing Assessment improved across all grades. In fifth, seventh and ninth grades, more than 74 percent of students scored proficient or above on tests in November.
The Direct Math Assessment and the Direct Writing Assessment are annual tests that require students to demonstrate their knowledge of standards through tasks, reports the Education Department. Idaho teachers write the questions on both tests.
The exams are given each fall. Students in the fourth, sixth and eighth grades are given the math test, while student in the fifth, seventh and ninth grades take the writing test.
Results from the two exams assist classroom teachers in learning more about their students' abilities and shortfalls.
