Students in Dolores scored better than their peers in social studies statewide, according to data released by the Colorado Department of Education and discussed recently at a Dolores School Board meeting.
Students took the CMAS test for the first time last year. Students' scores are now broken down into four categories of performance: limited command, moderate command, strong command and distinguished command. Previously, the categories were: unsatisfactory, partially proficient, proficient, and advanced.
In the social studies test last year, 27 percent of Dolores fourth-graders produced limited results, compared with 32 percent statewide. Fifty-seven percent produced moderate results, compared with 51 percent statewide; 14 percent produced strong results, compared with 15 percent statewide; and 2 percent produced distinguished results, tying scores statewide.
The test showed that 80 percent of Dolores fourth-graders demonstrated a strong understanding of geography.
Fifth-graders who tested in science last year did better at the lower end of the scale when compared with fifth-graders statewide, but worse at the higher end.
Forty-two percent of fifth-graders taking the science test last year produced moderate results, compared with 38 percent statewide. However, only 26 percent Dolores students tested strong and distinguished when compared with statewide results of 33 percent.
Dolores Elementary School Principal Sherri Maxwell said the test scores will enable teachers to target areas of weakness this year.
During the 2015-16 school year, Dolores is expected to begin a science fair in the fourth and fifth grades as an in-school demonstration project, Maxwell told the school board.
