According to the Seattle School District, this year marks the first time that Seattle students’ scores were at or above the state averages in 19 out of 20 tested subjects and grades for the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) exam.

More than 94 percent of the Class of 2009 passed the state requirements, the district announced today.

Most large urban school districts typically perform below state averages.

In 2009 across all grades tested, Seattle exceeded the state average by 5.2 points in math, 1.9 points in reading, 4.1 points in writing, and 3.5 points in science. Seattle scores were slightly below the state average in tenth grade writing.

“I am very proud to see the hard work of our students, staff, families, principals and teachers recognized in the ongoing increase in WASL scores made in all grades,” said Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson. “Gains of this magnitude are only achieved as a result of years of focus and effort by a dedicated team and strong leadership throughout the district."

Throughout the district, gains were made in science and writing for most grades with mixed results achieved in reading and math. Results for third and tenth grade math and fifth and seventh grade reading decreased by at least one point.

Individual schools show improvements

Students at Broadview-Thomson K-8 achieved gains in all areas.

Third grade students increased math scores by 20.4 points, fourth grade by 12.2 points, fifth grade by 9.1 points and sixth grade students achieved a 0.5 point gain. Reading scores improved across the board with fifth grade scores reflecting the highest gains (10.4 points); third grade (4.5 points); fourth grade (3.8 points) and sixth grade (1.6 points).

Fourth grade writing increased by 28.5 points and fifth grade science scores improved by 14.8 points. Comprehensive literacy training over the last three years, a focus on teacher professional learning communities focused on data and math instruction and the Response to Intervention model have all contributed to this success.

In reading, 90 percent or more of fourth grade students met or exceeded standard at a total of 15 elementary/K-8 schools.

Several schools achieved significant gains including Schmitz Park (14.3 points).

Science results were strong across all grade levels

In science, students made gains across the board with the most progress achieved in eighth grade.

Science scores for fifth grade students increased by 2.2 percentage points, for eighth grade students by 5.6 percentage points and for tenth grade students by 3.5 percentage points.

Numerous schools achieved substantial progress in science. Schmitz Park Elementary gained 19.6 points in science with 93% of its students meeting or exceeding standards; Alki scores improved by 22.8 points, Green Lake (22.1 points), Sanislo (15.5 points), Madison Middle School (14.8 points) and Whitman Middle School (11.2).

The achievement gap

While moderate gains have been made over the past several years in narrowing the achievement gap between white students and students of color, the district says it will increase its focus this year to close the gap and ensure that every student is successful.

“At Seattle Public Schools this persistent academic achievement gap is intolerable to us,” said Goodloe-Johnson. “Families need to be supported so that their children enter kindergarten ready to learn.

"We will contribute to kindergarten readiness in partnership with the city and a philanthropic partner to provide access to high quality four-year-old programs for all at-risk children. Teachers will have access to excellent training and tools to support their ability to help each child reach their potential. And the District will provide a clear vision of goals and educational expectations.

In reading, limited progress on the achievement gap was made in some grades.

With a few exceptions, reading scores reflected an increase in the achievement gap.

The gap narrowed in reading for Asian students in seventh grade (3 points), and Hispanic students seventh grade (9 points) and tenth grade (2 points.)

The gap in reading increased or remained the same for all groups in fourth grade and increased for most groups in tenth grade.

The achievement gap in reading, based on 2009 results, ranges between 8 points and 39 points, depending on the grade level and group tested.

The achievement gap continued in writing, with limited gains in some groups and grade levels.

Overall the achievement gap in writing increased. From 2008 to 2009, the gap in writing narrowed by 3 points for Asian students in seventh grade. Gains were also made for Hispanic students of 4 points in fourth grade and 4 points in seventh grade.

Based on 2009 results, the achievement gap in writing ranges from less than 1 point to 29 points, depending on the grade level and group tested.

There were mixed results in closing the achievement gap in math. The achievement gap in math increased for most students of color.

At grade 7, the gap in math narrowed for Asian students by 3 points and Hispanic students by 12 points.

The gap in math widened for Hispanic students in fourth grade (-1 points) and tenth grade (-10 points), for black students at fourth grade (-3 points), seventh grade (-3 points) and tenth grade (-1 points), for Asian students at fourth grade (-3) and tenth grade (-6 points).

Based on 2009 results, the achievement gap in math ranges between 11 points and 54 points, depending on the grade level and group tested.

Class of 2009

According to results released by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Specifically, Seattle results show 94.3 percent of the class of 2009 met or exceeded standards compared to a state average of 93 percent. This is an increase of more than one point over the SPS class of 2008 seniors, which had 92.1 percent of the class meeting or exceeding standard.

Despite this progress, we know that these numbers do not provide the entire story as students that dropped out of high school or did not earn enough credits to achieve senior status are not reflected in these numbers.