NECAP science scores show improvement

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Standardized test results unveiled Thursday show science scores on the rise in Rhode Island for the fourth year in a row.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Education, proficiency rates on the 2012 New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) science tests increased at all tested grade levels.

The statewide proficiency rate rose to 34.8 percent. That is a 3.1 percentage points better than last year and  marks an eleven percentage point improvement over the first NECAP science tests administered in Rhode Island in 2008.

Here is how the results break down among grade levels:

• 4th Grade: 45.5% proficient (up from 43.7% in 2011)
• 8th Grade: 26.9% proficient (up from 25.4% in 2011)
• 11th Grade: 32% proficient (up from 25.7% in 2011)

18 schools were recognized for making significant improvements in the 2012 NECAP science test.

Elementary schools that showed significant improvement:

• Hampden Meadows School, Barrington
• Hugh Cole School, Bristol-Warren
• Paul Cuffee Charter School, Providence
• William D'Abate Elementary School, Providence

Middle schools that showed significant improvement:

• Kickemuit Middle School, Bristol-Warren
• Chariho Regional Middle School
• Nathan Bishop Middle School, Providence
• Woonsocket Middle School

High schools that showed significant improvement:

• Barrington High School
• East Providence High School
• Lincoln Sr. High School
• Narragansett High School
• Rogers High School, Newport
• North Kingstown Sr. High School
• North Smithfield High School
• Classical High School, Providence
• William M. Davies, Jr. Career-Technical High School

The results, however, continued to show wide achievement gaps between white and non-white students and economically disadvantaged students and non-economically disadvantaged students.

• Click here to see NECAP test results by school and district