TEST SCORES ARE DOWN. EVERY ROCKWOOD SCHOOL IS LISTED HERE. WITH JUST 51% OF ROCKWOOD STUDENTS PROFICIENT IN MATH, WHO SHOULD WE VOTE FOR? IZZY IMIG AND JESSICA CLARK SAY ROCKWOOD NEEDS TO FOCUS ON ACADEMICS.

For parents and taxpayers concerned about proficiency and standardized test scores, views regarding academics may sway their vote in the April 5th school board election.

SEE DATA FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL BELOW.

First, let's look at the candidate platforms. Jessica Clark and Izzy Imig have objectives that directly reference academic performance.

"Stick to Academics" is Clark's platform.

"Academic Excellence" is front and center on Imig's website. 

The other candidates have emphasized other priorities.

Amy Ryan: "My clear and concise initiatives: communicate and collaborate with conviction and compassion."

Deborah Stine: Empathy is the first word in her slogan, "Empathy & Excellence."

It is not clear what objectives Charles Messmer has. He doesn't appear to have a website or campaign materials. On his Facebook page, he describes himself as in the middle on issues.

Hear from the candidates below.

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DISTRICTWIDE

First, here are the latest MAP scores, districtwide. And, below that, every school, at every level.
MAP stands for Missouri's Assessment Program.

Note: DESE only measures high schoolers in social studies. 
N/A means the state did not test that subject that year.

DESE has disclaimers about not comparing scores.
Data analysts at DESE told us, regardless: it's valid data. Each score
is a reflection of how students performed, with whatever the state tested them.

HOW'S YOUR SCHOOL DOING?

The remaining graphics break down the most recent MAP tests by school. 

Note:
MAP testing for high schoolers is different than MAP testing for the younger grades.

Note the captions under the graphics for what the scores reflect.

HIGH SCHOOLS

DESE: These scores reflect
End of Course Assessments for Algebra I and II.

DESE: These scores reflect End of Course
Assessments for English II

DESE: These scores reflect End of Course 
Assessments for Biology I

DESE: These scores reflect End of Course
Assessment in Government

Rockwood's high schools have also slipped in rankings, both in Missouri and nationwide. 

See more on that here.

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Note: Grades 3-5 are tested.

To repeat our work, this is the data. Download the 13th dataset (link) from the top.

HERE'S WHAT SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES SAID ABOUT TEST SCORES.

CHARLES MESSMER was not able to attend the League of Women Voters candidate forum, so we don't have his answer to questions from that night: 

All 4 candidates who attended gave answers to the question: 
Are you concerned about the drop in test scores, and how should the drop be handled?

(Note: Candidates appeared to be aware of districtwide scores, but, we don't know whether they know the information in detail, as spelled out above.) 

DEBORAH STINE'S answer (Empathy and Excellence):

At 28:30 in the link above: 

"I would never say I'm not concerned about them because they are part of the puzzle and we should make sure we are going in the right direction but like I said before I don't believe the sky is falling when it comes to Rockwood's test scores."

IZZY IMIG'S answer (Academic Excellence and "I hear you" slogan):

At 28:48: 
"I believe our teachers are spent; taxed. They are having to wear many hats these days and it's taking their time away from our children. I think we need to provide extra resources or bring in extra experts to help with different matters so our teachers can focus on teaching our children. And I think that will bring our test scores back up."

JESSICA CLARK'S answer (Stick to Academics):

At 29:30: 
"I am absolutely concerned about the test scores...And I believe that we are; we've gone away from the focus on academics and I think that's why our test scores are dropping. There are many reasons I'm sure that contribute to that. What I would do: Refocus. Seeing what we've done over the last few years when the numbers started dropping and how we get back to where we were. That's extremely important. I know that Covid was a part of that but we were declining before that. So, we have to go back and see why we are; where we're putting resources, why are teachers spent, why can't they focus on what they need to focus on."

AMY RYAN (Conviction and Compassion):

Ryan referenced a change to the testing from six years ago, and common core. 

At 30:55: 

"So, because of that change in structure there was a decline in grades, but, again, the sky is not falling. We also have to not neglect the fact that Rockwood schools have special needs children and even with special circumstances, they cannot meet these state standards. So, that also affects and contributes to those proficiency standards. But I think the children will be ok because our teachers are happy and they're going to help them perform in their academic performance."

Summary:

Stine said we're doing ok ("the sky is not falling").

Imig said we'll do better once teachers can focus on just academics.

Clark said she is absolutely concerned and thinks the drop in test scores is related to straying from a focus on academics.

Ryan blamed a change in testing, common core, and, special needs students for Rockwood's test scores.

ABOUT THAT LACK OF FOCUS ON ACADEMICS:

Clark and Imig referenced a need to refocus on academics. 
Learn more about the ideology pushed in classrooms, here.