WIESBADEN, Germany – TerraNova test scores for 2007 show that DOD students in grades 3-11 continue to score substantially higher in all subject areas than their stateside peers.

The TerraNova is a standardized, norm-referenced achievement test developed by CTB/McGraw Hill that compares students’ scores to scores from a “norm group.” The norm group for TerraNova is a national sample of students representing all gender, racial, economic, and geographic groups.

Dr. Joseph Tafoya, Director, Department of Defense Education Activity, announced the organization’s 2007 standardized test results for the TerraNova Multiple Assessments, 2nd Edition last Friday.

“We are extremely pleased with this year’s TerraNova results,” he said. “The scores indicate our curriculum is rigorous and is properly aligned with assessments. The results also indicate that we are succeeding in our mission of helping students achieve their highest potential,” Tafoya added.

Diana Ohman, Director, Department of Defense Dependents Schools – Europe, said, “The TerraNova tests are important for several reasons. They provide students, teachers, and administrators with a means to measure the strengths and weaknesses of our students compared to students in schools across the United States. They are an indicator of our successes and the areas where we need more focus.”

In breaking down the scores for Europe, Ohman said, “Once again parents and teachers can be pleased with the achievements shown by our students. The vast majority of DoDDS-Europe students scored above the national average in all academic categories. Of the 24,500 students in grades 3-11 taking this year’s TerraNova test, 71 percent scored above the National Percentile in Math. Seventy two percent scored above the National Percentile in Social Studies and Science. Seventy three percent scored above the National Percentile in Reading and an impressive 74 percent of DoDDS-Europe students scored above the National Percentile in Language Arts.”

The National Percentile provides results that can be compared to a sample group of students across the Nation. The National Percentile represents the percentage of students in a norm group, whose scores fall below an individual student or group average score. For example, if a student scored at the 68th percentile in Math, that student scored at or above the score of 68 percent of the Nation’s students.

"These scores are significant in that TerraNova samples abilities of students from across the nation,” Ohman said. “Our students come from, and in many cases will return to, schools scattered across every part of the United States. In comparison to stateside schools, DoDDS-Europe students are doing very well.”

Ohman noted that students should be proud of their accomplishments, while, at the same time, being aware of the areas in which the need for improvement may be indicated. She said the same stands true for administrators and teachers.

The DoDEA Community Strategic Plan requires the reporting of student data by the percentage of students within each National Percentile quarter. DoDDS-Europe as well as all DoDEA students are moving closer to the goal of 75 percent of all students scoring at or above the 50th percentile mark.

“We'll take the results of these tests to heart and focus on two areas. Although our overall test scores are very good, they show that nine percent of our students fall in the bottom quartile in Math. The results also indicate a slight drop in reading. Therefore, Math and reading are focus subjects for the upcoming school year,” Ohman said. She added, “Again, TerraNova shows where improvement is needed, but also confirms what DoDDS-Europe is doing well.”

For more information on the TerraNova Tests contact:

Dr. Shirley Miles
Deputy Director, DoDEA and Associate Director for Education
Civ: 703-588-3103

Janet Rope
Administrator, System Accountability and Research
CIV: 703-588-3118
Email: Janet.Rope@hq.dodea.edu

Gretchen Ridgeway
CIV: 703-588-3119
Email: Gretchen.Ridgeway@hq.dodea.edu

Dennis K. Bohannon
Public Affairs Officer
Office of the Director
DoDDS-Europe
DSN 338-7612
CIV (49) 0611-380-7612
FAX: DSN 338-7685 CIV 0611-380-7685
dennis.bohannon@eu.dodea.edu

"MATH MATTERS"