E.P. Students' Science 'Proficiency' Jumps, Although School Scores Mixed

East Providence students show a “statistically significant” increase in proficiency in science over the past year, according to the most recent test scores released by the RI Department of Education on Monday, Sept. 23.

"Take a look at the scores," Superintendent Kimberly Mercer said at the joint School Committee and City Council meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24, before a presentation on the high school's accreditation.

She said the scores indicate the solid rating given to "teaching and learning" at the high school by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The high school's proficiency score has jumped almost 34 percent in five years, according to RIDE.

Still, East Providence’s overall proficiency rate of 30.5 percent on the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) science test for 2013 shows a 5 percent drop in one year – from 2012 to 2013. That proficiency rate, though, is still 12.3 percent higher than five years ago. 

NECAP tests in science were given to students in three grades: 4, 8 and 11 in May. 

The most recent results, according to RIDE, show four E.P. schools with “statistically significant” increases over the past five years: Oldham – up 35.7 percent, East Providence High – up 33.6 percent, Martin Middle – up 9.6 percent and Orlo – up 23.1 percent.

RIDE results also show two schools with “statistically significant” decreases since 2012: Riverside Middle – down 15.4 percent and Silver Spring – down 37.7 percent. The Riverside scores, thus, are about the same as five years ago; the Silver Spring scores are 6 percent higher than in 2008 even with the large decline in one year. 

Click here to see the NECAP science scores at the education department website.