2006 Annual Report

Assessments of various kinds can assist educators in evaluating student progress. This section presents the results of three widely used assessments: the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Dakota STEP (State Test of Educational Progress) and ACT.

During 2004-05, the most recent year for which information is available, South Dakota students showed progress on the Dakota STEP in both reading and math. In all of the subgroups for which the state is held accountable, more students scored in the proficient and advanced categories than in 2003-04. However, gaps continued to exist between the various subgroups. Initiatives such as Reading First and South Dakota Counts (described on page 4) target elementary students and may be effective in addressing the achievement gap.

• National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

• Dakota STEP

• ACT Assessment

• Graduation Rate