ISTEP RESULTS 2011- Fewer IPS students pass test

Indianapolis Public Schools was among 70 Indiana school district that saw fewer students pass both math and English on the state ISTEP test this year.

That is a big jump from last year when just 15 district lost ground. IPS saw just 44.6 percent of its students passing ISTEP, slipping to second worst in the state behind only East Chicago. Last year IPS was third from the bottom.

Statewide, Indiana built on last year's large ISTEP test score gains, Superintendent Tony Bennett said.

"This is a year of 1 to 2 percent improvement on top of historic gains," Bennett said.

Overall 70.2 percent of of students in Indiana passed both parts, up from 68.2 percent.

Gains were made statewide on all four ISTEP tests < English, math, social studies and science. Bennett said 75 Indiana schools hit the state's target of 90 percent of student passing English and math. Last year just 51 schools met that standard.

Two other local districts were near the bottom among 293 Indiana districts -- Wayne Township at 13th worst and Pike Township at 14th worst.

ISTEP is given annual to students in grades 3 to 8. The scores are considered in the state accountability system, which this year will result in school districts receiving letter grades. Those grades are due out in August.

The Indianapolis area boasted six of the top 15 districts for the percent passing English and math. Carmel was No. 1 with 92.5 percent passing. Other top ranked local district included Zionsville (3); North West Hendricks (4); Hamilton Southeastern (7); Center Grove (10); and Westfield Washington (12).