The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) today released preliminary statewide 2020-21 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) data during the State Board of Education’s meeting. The results represent data from the required Grade Level and End-of-Course (EOC) state assessments, which include English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for grades 3-8; Science for grades 5 and 8; and EOC exams in English II, Algebra I, and Biology. Results for optional EOC assessments were released as well, including: American History, Algebra I, English I, Geometry, and Physical Science. District- and building-level assessment data will be shared publicly later this fall.

“Districts and charter schools across the state worked extremely hard to focus on the well-being and academic success of students during the extraordinary 2020-21 school year,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most aspects of last school year were not typical. I urge stakeholders to use these data to learn from this experience and inform how to deploy resources to best support students, educators, and schools.”

Because the 2020-21 MAP tests were taken under unprecedented circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Board of Education voted in December 2020 to waive the results for state and federal accountability purposes. Those variables schools faced included but were not limited to: chronic absenteeism and learning disruptions due to illness and/or quarantine; stress, fatigue, and mental health challenges; changing modes of instruction (onsite, virtual, distanced, and hybrid); limited access to technology; and/or a less than reliable internet connection. Due to these extenuating circumstances, the 2020-21 assessment scores look different from previous school years. Those factors should be kept in perspective when reviewing the data. Making blanket comparisons to previous years’ scores is a serious misuse of this data. 

Statewide Data

• Statewide participation rate: exceeded 90%
• Mode of instruction for students who participated in the 2020-21 assessments:
  • Onsite[1]: 51%
  • Virtual[2]:  10%
  • Distanced[3]: 8%
  • Hybrid[4]: 31%
• Access to technology data for students who participated in the 2020-21 assessments:
  • Device access: 81%
  • Internet access: 78%
• Statewide advanced and proficient performance levels:
  • ELA: 45%
  • Math: 35%
  • Science: 37%

The optional English I and Physical Science EOC assessment scores increased. However, there was a decline in all subject and grade-level assessment scores, with scores in Mathematics dropping more than scores in ELA. The greatest decline was in Algebra I.

“It is important to remember that these test scores only reflect one data point, and local schools have access to additional interim assessment data to help inform where a student’s learning is at relative to the Missouri Learning Standards as we start this school year,” said Commissioner Vandeven. “All Missouri public school students have access to in-person learning this year and I am confident return to learn plans districts and charter schools have developed will provide the social and academic supports needed to accelerate student learning.”

The State Board of Education also approved performance expectations for new assessments in Government and American History at today’s meeting. Data for those assessments will be available in the coming weeks.

To view more information about the assessment results, visit DESE’s assessment webpage.

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