Student test scores waaay down in Philly. Tighter proctoring (less cheating) suspected as cause.

As the state today finally presents its 2012 PSSA results and report on schools meeting federal targets for adequate yearly progress, the School District has provided its annual breakdown of student performance on the state exam.

The declines in proficiency rates on last spring's test range from as much as 17 points for 3rd graders in math to as little as 1 point for 11th graders in both reading and math. For the most part, the lower the grade level, the steeper the decline...

The release of the District and state results today was dominated by discussion of the ongoing statewide investigation of cheating. District officials cite both new test security protocols and budget cuts as possible causes of the decline. In Philadelphia, teachers were for the first time not allowed to proctor their own classroom. Statewide, there were stricter protocols around handling the tests, and scores overall declined statewide.

In Philadelphia, every grade level and demographic group, including English language learners and special education students, saw proficiency rates go down.

http://thenotebook.org/blog/125156/hard-data-scores-down-every-level