Kirkwood Scores Big On Standardized Tests

Kirkwood can once again be proud of its test scores. Figures of the 2011 standardized test scores for the met and exceeded state requirements on almost every level.

Kirkwood finished in the top five school districts in the St. Louis County in all areas of study at all age groups. More than 76 percent of all students tested passed their math and English exams.

Some areas were even higher on the list. ranked second in the county in biology, and fifth in government, which has only been included in the exams in the past two years.

Shirleas Washington, Executive Director of Student Services, presented the Kirkwood Board of Education with the test information at its regular meeting Monday.

Washington pointed out the only major area of concern was among African-American students, where standardized test scores remained lowest. In communication arts, only 43 percent of black students met state standards for proficiency, as compared to 86 percent of their white counterparts. 

"We've got some real concerns about this trend," school board member E.J.Miller told Washington during her presentation. "We've really got to spend serious time this year looking at bringing those students whatever it is that they aren't getting."

Washington said the overall message was optimistic, and several schools and grade levels were seeing all-time highs on their test scores, especially at the elementary level.

"If you notice, it looks as though our trend in many areas of elementary school is to get a little better every year, there are almost no downward trends," Washington said.