Delaware students show slight improvement in statewide tests

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DOVER, Del. (AP) — Delaware students performed better on the Smarter Balanced Assessment this year, but still only about half are proficient in the two subjects tested — English and math.

The state Department of Education released figures Thursday showing 55 percent of students showed they are proficient in English and 44 percent showed they are proficient in math, compared to 52 percent and 41 percent, respectively, last year.

Department of Education spokesman Michael Watson says officials want to maintain an increase of three percent per year.

This year has been the first chance to see how schools are adjusting to the test that is aligned with the tougher Common Core standards.

Some critics, like Yvonne Johnson of the Delaware Parent Teacher Association, say the improvement is because teachers and students are getting used to this type of test, not because they're mastering the curriculum.