Highline Public Schools students in grades 3 through 8 made significant gains on the state math exam, Measurements of Student Progress (MSP), Highline administrators have reported.

Highline's gains on the 2011 exam were greater than the state's overall growth in math at every grade level tested. Last year, 48.3 percent of Highline students in grades 3 through 8 met the state math standard, compared with 41 percent in 2010.

Cascade and Chinook middle schools made double-digit improvements in math scores. Both schools had been designated as "schools in need of improvement" two years ago under No Child Left Behind, the federal education law.

"We have laid out a clear framework for what every student should learn at each grade level, we assess students regularly to check their learning, and we're using interactive computer programs to boost learning," says Interim Superintendent Alan Spicciati. "It's gratifying to see our work is paying off."

At the elementary and middle school levels, reading scores remained flat, with 55 percent of students in grades 3 through 8 meeting standard.

However, Midway Elementary and Southern Heights Elementary saw significant improvements in test scores in both math and reading, allowing both schools to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).

The MSP in science continues to be a challenge, Highline officials said. In Highline, 41 percent of 5th grade students met standard.

"It is clear to us that we have to undertake the kinds of work we are doing in math to make improvements science," says Dr. Spicciati.

This year, the state high school math exam was replaced by end-of-course assessments (EOC) for Algebra 1 and Geometry. Of the 7th graders taking Algebra 1, 96 percent passed the EOC; 83 percent of 8th graders passed.

On the Geometry EOC, 100 percent of 7th graders and 96 percent of 8th graders passed. Passage rates at 9th and 10th grades were lower, possibly because students may have taken Algebra and Geometry one or more years prior, Highline officials said.

Fifty-three percent of 10th graders who took the Algebra exam passed; 41 percent passed the Geometry exam.

On the state High School Proficiency Exam (HPSE) for reading, Highline's scores improved from 72 percent in 2010 to 75.5 percent last year.