Middle Schools' Performance Dips as Math Testing Is Expanded

In addition, the benchmark pass rate for reading and math rose by four points this year, meaning that a greater percentage of students had to pass each test.

State officials said students showed progress in many areas. Reading scores improved, with 84 percent of students passing compared with 81 percent the year before. Black and Hispanic students also made gains in those tests.

Across Virginia, the number of schools subject to federal sanctions -- which include requirements to provide tutoring and allow students to transfer to higher-performing schools -- dropped sharply, from 111 in 2005 to 63 this year. These sanctions apply only to Title I schools, which receive federal funding to help disadvantaged students, if those schools have missed targets two or more years.

Statewide, 76 percent of students passed the math tests, down from 84 percent.

Under the federal law, schools must post overall gains toward a goal of near-universal proficiency in reading and math by 2014. In addition, several groups of students -- including ethnic minorities, disabled students and students with limited English skills -- must meet benchmarks. If any group falls short, the entire school can fall short.

In Fairfax, 32 schools did not meet standards; last year, 24 Fairfax schools did not meet standards.

Two schools -- McNair Elementary in Herndon and Dogwood Elementary in Reston -- must provide tutoring and give children the opportunity to transfer.

Fairfax School Superintendent Jack D. Dale said schools have hired instructional coaches and are using periodic tests to measure where students need help. McNair even ran a two-week summer program for struggling students to get a preview of the year's lessons.

"When you look at all the results, with the exception of the new math ones, they are in the high 80s or low 90s,", Dale said. "There's no magic bullet. We know you have to deal with achievement on a child-by-child basis."

Fairfax's black and Hispanic students made gains in English, with 75 percent of black students passing this year compared with 71 percent last year. The pass rate among Hispanic students increased by three points, to 77 percent. But math scores declined among all groups.

In Prince William and Loudoun, the number of schools that didn't meet the mark increased this year, but none will face sanctions. In Prince William, 16 schools didn't measure up, compared with seven last year, and nine Loudoun schools didn't make sufficient progress.

Arlington and Alexandria bucked the trend, with more schools meeting standards this year than before.

Arlington School Superintendent Robert G. Smith praised his district's progress. But he added, "I am concerned that the test scores for these new [math] tests are a result of the tests themselves rather than the instruction they were supposed to measure."

Staff writers Tara Bahrampour and Ian Shapira contributed to this report.