Vermont Agency of Education releases 2023-24 Statewide Assessment results, gaps remain

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Agency of Education released the preliminary 2023-24 Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program results. The assessment is administered annually in the spring to students in grades three through nine, and eleven. The assessment measures students’ mastery of the Common Core State Standards in English language arts (ELA), mathematics, and the Next Generation Science Standards.

The 2023-24 school year was the second year that Vermont schools administered the Vermont Comprehensive Assessment Program. Now, with two years of data, Vermont can start comparing yearly trends again, something that hasn’t been done since before the COVID-19 pandemic

“We are excited to leverage this data as a new tool to measure change and equity in the coming years” said Director of Assessment and Accountability Danielle Dupuis. “The smooth administration of the assessment in its second year is a testament to the hard work of our educators, and we thank them for their dedication."

Average proficiency percent remained steady compared to the previous year, with the highest in English languages arts (45-58%), followed by science (41-46%), and then math (30-47%). Results continue to show significant gaps between students from historically marginalized backgrounds and their peers. These results are preliminary and final results will be made available in the winter.

“Through the Agency’s Listen and Learn Tour, we've heard the call for earlier reporting of state assessment results,” said Interim Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders. “The Agency is committed to accelerating this process to ensure schools and School Boards have the data they need to support timely decision making. At the same time, we will continue focusing on improving student outcomes in reading, math, and science. Our educators are dedicated to promoting academic achievement, and the Agency remains an active partner. We recognize that our work isn’t done until we ensure that every student has an equal opportunity to succeed.”

Assessment Results

The tables below contain preliminary statewide results. Final statewide results will be released in early Winter and are not expected to differ substantially from the results presented below. In addition, while school systems and educators can access their results for instructional purposes, school and district level results will remain private until all student information can be validated. These results will also be made public in early Winter.

2024 Statewide English Language Arts Overall Results

Grade

Average Scaled Score

Difference from 2023

Percent Proficient

Difference from 2023

3

1740

-3

48%

-1%

4

1750

-5

54%

-2%

5

1742

-4

50%

-1%

6

1752

-2

56%

0%

7

1757

+2

57%

0%

8

1760

+5

58%

+2%

9

1743

+9

48%

+5%

2024 Statewide Mathematics Overall Results

Grade

 

Average Scaled Score

 

Difference from 2023

 

Percent Proficient

 

Difference from 2023

 

3

 

1707

 

-4

 

36%

 

-1%

 

4

 

1698

 

-10

 

30%

 

-5%

 

5

 

1711

 

-7

 

36%

 

-2%

 

6

 

1732

 

-16

 

47%

 

-6%

 

7

 

1724

 

-7

 

44%

 

-2%

 

8

 

1704

 

-4

 

35%

 

-1%

 

9

 

1723

 

+5

 

39%

 

+6%

 

2024 Statewide Science Overall Results

Grade

Average Scaled Score

Difference from 2023

Percent Proficient

Change from 2023

5

1739

-2

43%

-2%

8

1737

+1

41%

0%

11

1752

+1

46%

+1%

Equity Comparisons

The tables below show a comparison between students from historically marginalized backgrounds (HM) and students not from HM backgrounds. The HM group includes students from racial and ethnic minorities, students living in poverty, students on IEPs, English learners and migrant students, students experiencing homelessness or living in foster care, and students from military-affiliated families. The not HM group includes all other students.

 Large achievement gaps are evident, with differences in average percent proficient between the two groups ranging from 25% to 35% depending on grade and subject. Specifically, average percent proficient for students from HM backgrounds range from 19% to 43%, while the same percents range from 47% to 76% for students not from HM backgrounds.

2024 Statewide English Language Arts Equity Results

Grade

Average Scaled Score

HM

Average Scaled Score

Not HM

Difference

Percent Proficient HM

Percent Proficient

Not HM

Difference

3

1711

1781

70

36%

66%

30%

4

1718

1795

77

40%

75%

35%

5

1712

1783

71

36%

69%

33%

6

1721

1797

76

42%

76%

34%

7

1724

1800

76

42%

76%

34%

8

1726

1803

77

43%

76%

33%

9

1708

1783

75

33%

64%

31%

2024 Statewide Mathematics Equity Results

Grade

Average Scaled Score

HM

Average Scaled Score

Not HM

Difference

Percent Proficient HM

Percent Proficient

Not HM

Difference

3

1677

1749

72

25%

51%

26%

4

1666

1743

77

19%

47%

28%

5

1678

1758

80

23%

54%

31%

6

1697

1783

86

32%

67%

35%

7

1689

1768

79

29%

63%

34%

8

1670

1748

78

21%

52%

31%

9

1690

1761

71

25%

56%

31%

2024 Statewide Science Equity Results

Grade

Average Scaled Score

HM

Average Scaled Score

Not HM

Difference

Percent Proficient HM

Percent Proficient

Not HM

Difference

5

1722

1763

41

29%

62%

33%

8

1721

1758

37

28%

58%

30%

11

1737

1767

30

33%

58%

25%

About the Vermont Agency of Education

The Agency of Education implements state and federal laws, policies, and regulations to ensure all Vermont learners have equitable access to high-quality learning opportunities. The Agency accomplishes this mission through the provision of its leadership, support, and oversight of Vermont’s public education system.

Source: 9.27.2024. Montpelier, VT- Vermont Agency of Education. Connect with the Vermont Agency of Education education.vermont.gov.

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