Date: Fri 06-Nov-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

schools-CAPT-test

Full Text:

Principal Sees Progress In NHS CAPT Test Scores

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Newtown CAPT test scores continue to be good at Newtown High School. Although

down slightly in interdisciplinary studies and language arts, Newtown's

sophomores retained good scores in math. This year, sophomores scored higher

than last year in science.

William Manfredonia, principal of Newtown High School, said that the school

has had a "steady increase for three years, and this year we stayed close to

where we were last year... We know this is a tough test. I think it's one of

the best state-sponsored tests I've seen."

The CAPT test, given to sophomores across the state, tests mathematics,

science, language arts (including both editing and response to literature) and

interdisciplinary studies.

Locally, in mathematics, 60 percent met the goal established by the state. In

language arts 50 percent met the goal, which requires passing both editing

(which 88 percent did) and response to literature (which only 53 percent of

the Newtown students did). This is down from 54 percent last year. Fifty-three

percent of Newtown students met the benchmark for science, up from 49 percent

last year.

Mr Manfredonia pointed out that there has been a steady increase in Newtown

students meeting the pre-set benchmark in all four sub-tests of this test.

In 1995, 18 percent reached the standard; in 1996, 20 percent made it; in

1997, it was 24 percent, and now in 1998, the fourth year the test has been

administered, 28 percent of Newtown High School test takers met the pre-set

criteria in all four test sections.

This compares to 13.6 percent of sophomores statewide who reached the goal

this year. Statewide statistics from earlier years are 12.8 percent compliance

in 1997, 12.3 percent in 1996 and 11.8 percent in 1995.

The averages for ERG Group B, the economic reference group of towns with

similar demographics to Newtown, are quite similar to Newtown scores in each

sub-test.

Newtown is slightly higher than its ERG group comparison in both science and

interdisciplinary studies and slightly lower in mathematics and language arts.

The ERG B results are: mathematics, 63 percent of test-takers met the goal;

language arts, 51 percent; science, 51 percent; and interdisciplinary, 48

percent.

Mr Manfredonia said his goal is to bring Newtown High School to the top of the

ERG group in each sub-test.

Actual Question

Typical questions on the CAPT test require significant use of higher-level

thinking skills, yet they do not require extensive subject-specific knowledge.

For example, one earth science question was "What happened to the craters?"

The question asked: "The Earth and the moon have both been struck by many

meteors which have created craters on their surfaces. Explain fully why most

of the moon's craters are still visible while most of the Earth's craters are

not."

The answer is that the moon has no atmosphere, therefore no precipitation or

wind to erode and change its surface. Also, vegetation and activities of

humankind, which change the earth landscape and disguise its craters, are

lacking on the moon.