Barely more than half of the state’s third through eighth grade students meet state standards in English language arts and math, while less than half of fifth and eighth graders meet state standards in science.

The state Education Department on Monday released preliminary data on the Grades 3-8 English Language Arts and mathematics assessments as well as fifth and eighth grade science assessments.

Overall, the 2024-25 state assessment data show that proficiency rates of students in third through eighth grades to be 53% in ELA and 55% in math. The proficiency rate of students in fifth and eighth grades on the statewide science test is 44%.

The state is reporting gains on ELA testing in all grades, with proficiency statewide in third through eighth grades increasing from 46% in 2023-24 to 53% in 2024-25. Proficiency increased to 54%, an increase of 9%, for third graders; 7% for fourth graders to 54%, 13% for fifth graders to 57%, 7% for sixth graders to 51%, 1% for seventh graders to 51% and stayed at 52% for eighth graders. There were fewer gains among state students in math proficiency, with 52% meeting state standards in 2023-24 and 55% meeting state standards in 2024-25. By grade level, proficiency increased 6% to 60% among third-graders, 1% to 59% among fourth -grade students; 5% to 54% for fifth-graders; remained at 51% for sixth grade students, decreased 1% to 56% for seventh graders and increased 6% to 47% for eighth-grade students.

State Education Department officials lowered the “cut” scores that are used to discern whether a student is proficient or not starting in 2023-24. Those “cut” scores have remained the same the past three years.

Student scores on the state tests are broken into four categories. Students scoring in Level 1 are below proficient in standards for their grade, while students scoring in Level 2 are partially proficient in standards for their grade. Students grouped in Level 3 are proficient in standards for their grade while students in Level 4 excel in standards for their grade.

Not only are local school district results not available, but countywide results are not yet available. Information has been released to school districts around the state both for review and certification as well as to be used as education plans are developed before students report to school in the fall. The state test information is used along with local assessments used by each school district. All local information from the state testing is considered preliminary until they are reviewed locally. That is supposed to be finished by September, with information on each district scheduled to be released publicly in November. The statewide tests are required by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.