Districtwide, 79.2 percent of the 14,104 eighth-graders tested in pre-algebra earned grades of F. In Algebra 1, 54.1 percent of 5,976 eighth-graders scored a 59 percent or lower.

Middle schools did score higher pass rates than high schools, with one middle school managing to keep its failure rates below 9 percent.

But for the most part, the middle school results parallel the majority testing failure of district high school students on their end-of-semester exams:

•In Algebra 1, 90.5 percent of students tested flunked.

•In Geometry, 87.8 percent of students failed.

•In Algebra 2, 86.6 percent of students were unable to score a passing grade.

"Results of recent math exams taken by middle and high school students have rightfully raised concerns among all of us -- educators, parents and community -- about the effectiveness of the Clark County School District's math program," Superintendent Walt Rulffes wrote in a letter recently sent home to parents and guardians.

"I want to assure you that the district chose to create and administer the examinations for just that purpose -- to measure the rigor and quality of math instruction across the district."

The exams aren't high-stakes tests and won't draw down punitive measures from federal or state education entities. The purpose of the tests, designed by the district and the Southern Nevada Regional Professional Development Center, is to gauge student proficiency of the required curriculum.

In the wake of the poor results, classroom teachers and school administrators have questioned the fairness of the test. They've also questioned whether the exams are an accurate measure of what students are supposed to learn in the first semester.

Rulffes has called for the formation of a committee of experts to consider that and other issues related to the test and the district math program. Committee membership has not yet been finalized.

Bill Hanlon, who oversees the state-funded Regional Professional Development Center, led the creation of the exams and stands behind them. He believes that the failure rate was inflated by poor test preparation and implementation.

"They were very reasonable questions," Hanlon said. "My belief is that the reason we scored so poorly is that schools didn't take it seriously. I really think that's the issue."

Nothing on the test should have come as a surprise, Hanlon said.

Teachers were invited to help write the test questions. Practice exams were sent out to all the schools.

The content mirrors what district standards require to be taught in the first semester.

"They had this stuff in advance," Hanlon said. "But there were schools that completely ignored it."

That didn't happen at Rogich Middle School, which stands out because most of its eighth-graders earned C's or better on pre-algebra and Algebra 1 exams.

When asked to explain Rogich's success, Principal Suzie Harrison credited her math faculty, who treated the exams as high-stakes testing.

"My honest opinion is that this is not a true representation of other schools," Harrison said. "I truly believe we're doing what other schools are doing."

At Rogich, Harrison said math teachers took full advantage of the practice exams. Students also were asked to write their own practice questions in algebra, as part of the school's emphasis on technical writing. That helped them understand the math vocabulary and also the concepts that might be included on the actual test, Harrison said.

Rogich also allows eighth-graders to give up an elective and enroll in two math classes a year instead of just one. That helps students who may need remediation, and also allows advanced students to hone their skills as well, she said.

"We have honors algebra students who are enrolled in math enrichment," Harrison said.

Rogich also makes a point of going to its feeder elementary schools in the district's Northwest Region to assess fifth-graders' math skills so that they can be placed in appropriate classes at middle school.

School Board member Terri Janison, who represents much of the Northwest Region, applauded Rogich. She said the district as a whole needs to look at what Rogich staff is doing and consider implementing those successful practices more broadly.

"This is a huge indication to me that some schools didn't take it seriously," Janison said. "If these guys did it, other schools can do it, too."

Rogich tested 356 eighth-graders, excluding those enrolled in a basic math course. Other middle schools in urban Clark County areas reported testing fewer than 100 students, another indication that not all teachers participated in mandatory testing, Hanlon said.

Mary Jo Parise-Malloy, whose daughter attends a Southwest Region high school, said she also believes that there were problems with test administration. When she asked her daughter and her daughter's friends about their testing experience, she got a surprising response.

"A number of them were told that these tests didn't count," said Parise-Malloy, a founding member of Nevadans for Quality Education, a public education advocacy group. "And some said they weren't given the tests."

The failure rate is so outrageous that Parise-Malloy said something has to be wrong with the way the tests were given. But as a parent, she's also concerned about the larger questions this raises about the quality of math instruction.

Parise-Malloy said her daughter had one math teacher who allowed students to play cards in class.

She and other parents are also alarmed by the district's use of long-term substitute teachers in higher math classes.

"One substitute affects more than 250 students a day," Parise-Malloy said.

In the Northeast Region, the high failure rate of students on the exams elicited an immediate response from Region Superintendent Marsha Irvin, who held a conference call with principals and instructed them to send out letters to their parents regarding the exams.

Irvin said she doesn't accept that principals in her region were unclear that the exams were mandatory. A book of secondary math expectations for 2007-08 that went out to principals last year clearly stated the district required the exams to be given.

She said her focus is on improving student performance on the second-semester exams.

"One of the things the region is looking at closely is providing more time for administrators to observe instruction," Irvin said.

Irvin also has arranged for the Regional Professional Development Center to offer training sessions in mathematics to teachers. She also wants to increase the involvement of mentor teachers with new math teachers.

The challenges in district classrooms are numerous, Irvin said, ranging from large class sizes to a broad range of student abilities.

"I was concerned that the teachers would blame themselves," Irvin said. "But all of us have to take ownership of the problem. It's an issue the whole community has to be involved with."

Contact reporter Lisa Kim Bach at lbach @reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0287.

Eighth-grade math test scores

Clark County School District eighth-graders performed poorly on end-of-semester algebra and pre-algebra exams. Roughly eight of every 10 students earned failing grades on the pre-algebra test, and roughly one of every two students failed the algebra exam. The middle school results parallel the majority failure of high school students who also were given end-of-semester exams in higher math.

PERCENT OF FAILING STUDENTS

PRE-ALGEBRA ALGEBRA

EAST REGION

Fremont 82.8 83.3

Harney 91.9 70.3

Keller 92.6 86.9

Mack 89.3 72.5

O'Callaghan 80.7 82.8

Orr 77.7 66.7

Robison 96.3 94.4

Woodbury 71.4 41.9

NORTHEAST REGION

Bailey 94.2 60.9

Cram 69.3 19.5

Findlay 87.0 75.3

Hughes 75.3 46.7

Johnston 90.4 89.2

Lyon 83.3 75.0

Monaco 92.2 96.0

Sedway 81.7 40.6

Smith 91.2 85.7

Swainston 78.0 0

Von Tobel 99.7 98.9

SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS

Bridger * 57.0

Cashman 92.5 85.6

Gibson 84.6 96.5

Hyde Park 87.8 24.3

Knudson 75.2 52.7

Martin 100.0 80.9

NORTHWEST REGION

Becker 65.1 36.1

Brinley 93.3 85.4

Cadwallader 56.9 19.0

Escobedo 83.9 61.5

Indian Springs 93.3 100.0

Leavitt 52.0 54.6

Lied 78.1 39.4

Molasky 64.5 10.3

Rogich 8.4 8.5

Saville 56.7 24.6

SOUTHEAST REGION

Brown 89.1 51.9

Burkholder 85.3 68.3

Cannon 92.7 93.3

Cortney 90.3 78.6

Garrett 81.6 65.4

Greenspun 52.2 22.9

Laughlin 87.5 97.9

Mannion 71.3 11.0

Miller 55.7 27.6

Schofield 84.1 40.2

Silvestri 88.8 37.1

Webb 95.6 77.7

White 73.1 45.5

SOUTHWEST REGION

Canarelli 78.9 35.1

Faiss 70.7 32.5

Fertitta 84.5 52.7

Garside 91.9 77.1

Guinn 61.1 49.5

Johnson 90.4 89.2

Lawrence 63.5 18.5

Sawyer 72.7 35.5

Sandy Valley 100 72.7

Tarkanian 90.6 80.6

EDUCATION SERVICES SCHOOLS

West Prep 96.5 94.0

SCHOOL DISTRICT AVERAGE

79.2 54.1

*No students tested

SOURCE: Clark County School District

Eighth-grade math test scores
Clark County School District eighth-graders performed poorly on end-of-semester algebra and pre-algebra exams. Roughly eight of every 10 students earned failing grades on the pre-algebra test, and roughly one of every two students failed the algebra exam. The middle school results parallel the majority failure of high school students who also were given end-of-semester exams in higher math.
	Percent of failing students
	Pre-algebra	Algebra
EAST REGION
Fremont	82.8	83.3
Harney	91.9	70.3
Keller	92.6	86.9
Mack	89.3	72.5
O'Callaghan	80.7	82.8
Orr	77.7	66.7
Robison	96.3	94.4
Woodbury	71.4	41.9
NORTHEAST REGION
Bailey	94.2	60.9
Cram	69.3	19.5
Findlay	87.0	75.3
Hughes	75.3	46.7
Johnston	90.4	89.2
Lyon	83.3	75.0
Monaco	92.2	96.0
Sedway	81.7	40.6
Smith	91.2	85.7
Swainston	78.0	0
Von Tobel	99.7	98.9
SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOLS
Bridger	*	57.0
Cashman	92.5	85.6
Gibson	84.6	96.5
Hyde Park	87.8	24.3
Knudson	75.2	52.7
Martin	100.0	80.9
NORTHWEST REGION
Becker	65.1	36.1
Brinley	93.3	85.4
Cadwallader	56.9	19.0
Escobedo	83.9	61.5
Indian Springs	93.3	100.0
Leavitt	52.0	54.6
Lied	78.1	39.4
Molasky	64.5	10.3
Rogich	8.4	8.5
Saville	56.7	24.6
SOUTHEAST REGION
Brown	89.1	51.9
Burkholder	85.3	68.3
Cannon	92.7	93.3
Cortney	90.3	78.6
Garrett	81.6	65.4
Greenspun	52.2	22.9
Laughlin	87.5	97.9
Mannion	71.3	11.0
Miller	55.7	27.6
Schofield	84.1	40.2
Silvestri	88.8	37.1
Webb	95.6	77.7
White	73.1	45.5
SOUTHWEST REGION
Canarelli	78.9	35.1
Faiss	70.7	32.5
Fertitta	84.5	52.7
Garside	91.9	77.1
Guinn	61.1	49.5
Johnson	90.4	89.2
Lawrence	63.5	18.5
Sawyer	72.7	35.5
Sandy Valley	100	72.7
Tarkanian	90.6	80.6
EDUCATION SERVICES SCHOOLS
West Prep	96.5	94.0
SCHOOL DISTRICT AVERAGE
	79.2	54.1
*No students tested
SOURCE: Clark County School District
Share & Save Leave Your Comment 52 Reader Comments Terms & Conditions The following comments are provided by readers and are the sole responsiblity of the authors. The reviewjournal.com does not review comments before publication nor guarantee their accuracy. By publishing a comment here you agree to abide by the comment policy. If you see a comment that violates the policy, please notify the web editor. Some comments may not display immediately due to an automatic filter. These comments will be reviewed within 48 hours. Please do not submit a comment more than once. Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. hyde park rockz wrote on February 04, 2009 08:08 AM: if you notice hyde park very little failed Algebra Bms Student wrote on July 19, 2008 10:31 AM: You need to realize that most schools in the valley tend to not have exemplary test scores. If you want your child to succeed you need to put he or she in a "Motivated" school. Yes, they're willing students in the schools that aren't flaring up decent test scores but they keep those schools from having the 100 percent flunk rate. In my opinion Rogich Middle School stands out because of the students, teachers, and parents hard work. It is not a surprise that you see better test scores at the "nicer" communities. If you want your child to excell put him into those excelling schools. Rogich, Becker, Leavitt, Cadwallader, Saville, Greenspun, Hyde Park, Miller, Mannion, Webb, Schofield and Garret are the majority of excelling schools in the valley. Where do most of the more qualified teachers go? Thats right they go to the schools that are making AYP. While the teachers fresh from the dorms are taking the positions at schools that aren't. Obviously "most" inner city schools are not going to do that great because most of the students are not willing. You need to go to the schools where there are more willing students. Yes, they do tend to be in nicer areas but it's all worth it for your childrens education. You just need to do all that you can to make them willing. If you are at a school that doesn't excell but your child is willing then you should consider a zone variance to one of the mentioned schools. Lets just face the facts that the more willing students, parents, and teachers the better the result! sig rogich 6th grade student wrote on April 23, 2008 03:53 PM: Sig Rogich is the best school ever im a student at rogich and im not unmotivated im not lazy or dumb im hard working and it pays off and i get A's B's and occasionaly 1 C but thats not bad RogichMom wrote on April 21, 2008 07:58 PM: The teachers at Rogich are incredible, as is the principal. I know because my kids attend this school, and I am proud of all they do! I hope these teachers feel proud too! Bob wrote on April 21, 2008 05:49 AM: Stop complaining about the pay. They knew what the salary range was before they obtained their teching degrees. If you want to make the big bucks, find a different career. Stay out of the kitchen if you can't stand the heat. Duh wrote on April 20, 2008 08:48 PM: You are all missing the point. We get what we pay for. If we give our schools and teachers the pay ranked in the bottom 45 of the country, we will get results that mirror the bottom 45 of the country. Think about how many educated parents have students attending Rogich MS and you will see why they score so high. Not rocket science folks!!! Smart kidz wrote on April 20, 2008 05:43 PM: Not all of us are dum. Sum of us a smart and no some math I am fat and happy, but not dum Eldorado HS Studant Fat, Dumb, and Happy wrote on April 20, 2008 05:13 PM: Our kids may be fat, dumb, lazy, and may not amount to much but we love them just the same. Hey, this is Las Vegas, if we wanted smart kids we wouldn't live here. As the earlier poster said, all you need is nice plastic enhanced booberlers and there is money to be made John Doe wrote on April 20, 2008 05:04 PM: The parents need to step up and make sure their kids are learning...there are plenty of math computer programs that that can make up for what the schools aren't teaching. God help the future of this country! Apple Falls wrote on April 20, 2008 04:56 PM: Apple doesn't fall far from the tree Wake up parents They are your offspring Stay out of the casinos, bars, and massage parlors and spend time with your kids. Read All Comments
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