Des Moines students recovering from pandemic learning loss
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Students in the Des Moines school district are starting to recover their standardized test scores after the pandemic disrupted their learning, according to results shared on Wednesday.
Why it matters: It's a positive sign that returning to the normal pace of school is getting students back on track.
State of play: The majority of Des Moines' fifth-grade students improved from the previous year.
- In reading and science, they actually exceeded pre-pandemic levels, according to results from the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress.
Yes, but: Declines continued in math, dropping from 46% proficiency in 2020-21 to 43% proficiency last year.
- The majority of the state saw 5th grade math scores improve.
- Interim Superintendent Matt Smith contributed Des Moines' decline to teacher shortages and a new math curriculum that was not properly put in place, the Register reports.
Of note: 8th and 10th grade DMPS students also saw improvements in their language arts and science test scores.
Between the lines: The urban district is the largest in the state and has a significantly more diverse and lower-income student population who were disproportionately hurt by the pandemic.
The big picture: Des Moines' 5th grade proficiency rates are still lower in comparison to surrounding suburban schools, like West Des Moines who scored 65% language arts proficiency and Urbandale who scored 75%.