LITTLE ROCK
For the first time, this year’s scores on state standardized tests show a narrowing of the achievement gap between white and black students in Arkansas, while Hispanic students trailed.
Education Commissioner Ken James said Thursday that scores on the Arkansas Benchmark exams improved this year, while performance on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills remained stable compared to last year’s scores. Scores on End of Course exams in algebra and geometry dropped.
James noted that, in most instances, the gap in Benchmark scores between black students and white students narrowed for the first time.
“Not only did the gap narrow, but it narrowed at the same time that African-American achievement increased across the board,” James said. “We’re pleased with that substantial growth in particular areas.”
Benchmark results fall in four categories: below basic, basic, proficient and advanced.
In third-grade math, the gap in proficient and advanced scores between blacks and whites narrowed from 33 percent last year to 27 percent this year. The gap in third-grade literacy scores narrowed from 29 percent last year to 23 percent.
