Maine Educational Assessment: Interesting Findings from the Analysis of the 1999-2000 School Year Results

Math

49% of grade 11 students report they will complete a fourth year of math course work. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards (39% of students compared to 5% for those taking 3 years or less).
24% of grade 8 students report taking Algebra 1. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards (56% of students compared to 12% who take lower levels of math).

Reading

89% of grade 4 students report having read two or more books at home in the two months prior to testing.
56% of grade 4 students report having read 5 or more books at home in the two months prior to testing. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards (48% compared to 35% for those who read only one book).
51% of grade 4 students report reading 11 or more pages daily of in-school or homework assignments. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards in reading than students who read fewer pages (52% compared to 34% of students reading 5 or fewer pages).
75% of grade 11 students report using a computer to search for and read information once a week or more. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards in reading (50% compared to 23% of students who never use a computer search).

27% of grade 8 students report plans to take physics in high school. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards than those who don’t (31% of students compared to 20% or less for those with lower expectations).
43% of grade 11 students take or plan to complete physics. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards (18% compared to 6% or less).

30% of grade 11 students consider social studies very important. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards (36% to 24% or less for those ascribing less importance to social studies).

94% of grade 11 students report using a computer to produce the final draft of written assignments.
49% of grade 11 students report receiving grammar instruction primarily through written comments on their papers. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards in writing than those receiving other types of instruction (39% of students compared to 31% or fewer in other modes of instruction, such as mini-lessons, grammar textbooks, and individual instruction during writing conferences).
36% of grade 8 students report keeping a collection of their writing and using it to grow as a writer. These students are more likely to Meet or Exceed standards in writing (36% compared to 16% of students not keeping a collection of their writing).