2006 NECAP Results - Gilford
The NH Department of Education announced the 2006 test results of the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP). This is a standardized test that is given to Elementary and Middle School students all across New England.
The ratings are as follows:
Level 4 - Proficient with Distinction
Level 3 - Proficient
Level 2 - Partially Proficient
Level 1 - Substantially Below Proficient
In the chart below (from the State), N is the number of children tested in that category.
| Achievement Level – Reading | |||||||||
| Beginning of | Number | Level 4 | Level 3 | Level 2 | Level 1 | ||||
| Grade | Tested | N | % | N | % | N | % | N | % |
| 3 | 74 | 13 | 18 | 40 | 45 | 54 | 9 | 12 | 16 |
| 4 | 97 | 11 | 11 | 59 | 61 | 20 | 21 | 7 | 7 |
| 5 | 92 | 16 | 17 | 57 | 62 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 8 |
| 6 | 92 | 10 | 11 | 60 | 65 | 19 | 21 | 3 | 3 |
| 7 | 92 | 10 | 11 | 56 | 61 | 24 | 26 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | 103 | 27 | 26 | 54 | 52 | 17 | 17 | 5 | 5 |
In the following two charts, I've taken the liberty of collapsing Level's 4 with 3, and Levels 2 with 1 for a quick analysis. I think that the charts speak for themselves:
| Proficient and | Below | |
| Beginning of | Above | Proficient |
| Grade | % | % |
| 3 | 63 | 25 |
| 4 | 72 | 28 |
| 5 | 79 | 21 |
| 6 | 76 | 24 |
| 7 | 72 | 28 |
| 8 | 78 | 22 |
In effect, between 21 and 28% of Gilford's children are not meeting norms for Grades 3 - 8. In effect, almost 25% of the kids are below where they should be.
To put it into context, here is the State average:
| Proficient and | Below | |
| Beginning of | Above | Proficient |
| Grade | % | % |
| 3 | 75 | 25 |
| 4 | 72 | 28 |
| 5 | 72 | 28 |
| 6 | 72 | 28 |
| 7 | 67 | 32 |
| 8 | 66 | 34 |
The overall state average of below proficient is about 29% - a difference of only 4%.
My question is: does Gilford's academic results truly show results reflective of Gilford's above average budget?
