2017 KPREP: Troubling English Learner Results

Post by Susan Perkins Weston

Compared to 2016, English learner results show rising levels of proficiency on only four of 14 KPREP assessments, narrowing only three achievement gaps compared to classmates who are not English learners.

In 2016, Kentucky's English learners had the lowest proficiency levels and the largest gaps of any student group. Seeing them slip further in 2017 warrants special concern and attention.

At the elementary level,  English learner proficiency levels:

• Declined in reading by more than results for other students
• Declined in mathematics by less than for other students
• Rose in social studies and writing by less than results for other student improved
• Declined in language mechanics while results improved for other students
• Narrowed the gap only in mathematics

At the middle school level,  English learner proficiency levels:

• Declined in reading, mathematics, and social studies while results for other students rose
• Saw no change in language mechanics while other students gained

At the high school level,  English learner proficiency levels:

• Rose in reading while results for other students declined
• Declined in mathematics by less than results for other students dropped
• Declined in social studies and science by more than results for other students
• Rose in writing by less than results for other students improved
• Narrowed gaps only in reading and writing

Source note: The results shown above for English learners were provided by the Kentucky Department of Education. In spite of the requirements of KRS 158.649, the Department has not published results  for students who are not English learners. Instead,  the results shown for that group reflect calculations I made using the information the Department has released.