Editor:
This year's preliminary third grade reading scores have been released. Unfortunately for Dolores Elementary, there are several irregularities in the unofficial TCAP report.
Several invalid test scores resulted from testing irregularities. Invalid scores are weighed similarly to an unsatisfactory score, making the other testing results somewhat depressed.
We also had a coding issue with our data collection system. This problem will be addressed by the Colorado Department of Education in June. The official TCAP results in August will reflect the corrections.
The preliminary results (without the June adjustment) show that 65 percent of third graders are proficient and advanced in reading. The state average is 72 percent proficient and advanced.
The adjusted figures, reflecting the data corrections to be made in June, show much better results. The adjusted results show us as 73 percent proficient and advanced, a little above the state average. The percentage of students scoring proficient and advanced would climb to 74 percent if it were permissible to exclude the "no scores."
What pleases us about this year's results is the increasing number of students scoring advanced on the TCAP.
Two years ago, we did not have any students scoring advanced on the third grade reading TCAP.
Last year, we had two students and this year we have four!
Dolores Elementary strives to provide our students with the very best education possible in all the content areas including reading.
Teachers continue to improve our curriculum in an effort to better meet the ever-changing needs of our students.
Thank you for supporting our students, their teachers and our school.
Sharon Maxwell, Principal
Dolores Elementary School
