Westfield SAT Scores Above National Average

Westfield students consistently perform at or above their peers on standardized testing, according to Paul Pineiro, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum.

On Tuesday evening, Pineiro went over the results of the 2013 standardized tests for grades 3 to 8 and the high school. The data compared Westfield to their “District Factor Group,” which are districts of a similar makeup, as well as the state.

The results showed that Westfield students consistently over the years have an average well above the state and either above or the same level of district peers, according to Pineiro.

In grades 3 through 8, of a perfect 300 score in English and Language Arts, all grade levels fell between 200 and 250, which was several points above both their peers and the state. Grades 7 and 8 were closer to the same level as peers and the high school students had a mean score of nearly 250, based on the bar graphs provided by Pineiro.

The math results showed Westfield scoring much closer to the 250 mark on average, which was above peers and the state in all grade levels except 8th where they seemed to be even with peers, but above the state.

The data also showed that at the elementary level, students has a strong understanding of fractions, but particularly more so in two of the schools. Pineiro said they would use this data to see what those schools are doing with fractions to carry it over in other schools.

Pineiro stated that with the new curriculum implemented, there was no learning curve setback and the students were still able to perform consistently.

He added that some areas for closer review include measurement and data in third grade and fourth grade geometry. Although the students still performed above average in these areas there can always be improvement, he said.

At the high school level, the mean SAT scores for students were also above the state and national average. The mean score in critical reading for Westfield was 567 and the state’s average was 499 and the nation’s 496. In math, Westfield’s average was 597, while the state’s was 522 and the nation’s at 514. Lastly, in writing, Westfield’s mean score was 578, with the state at 500 and the nation at 488.

Additionally, several WHS students scored 63 perfect SAT scores, including: reading, 7; math level 2, 18;math, 13; chemistry, 2; writing, 15; US History, 3; Molecular Biology, 2; Physics, 1; French w/listening, 1 and Korean w/Listening, 1. Read more about those students here.

Pineiro also went over AP results, which showed 90 percent or more of Westfield students’ scoring a 3 or higher on exams since 2010.

He stated that it is really perfect that the students have done so well. The Board of Education also honored the students who received perfect SAT scores in the beginning of the meeting.

The full report should be on the district’s website this week.