Montana School Report Cards Released

Montana students’ proficiency in math and science ticked up by a percentage point last academic year. That’s according to the latest data gathered from schools as part of the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.

Reading scores remained identical to 2022’s report card. More than half of students in each subject are falling short of proficiency.

“I look at these scores and I don’t see good things,” Elsie Arntzen said. Arntzen is Montana’s superintendent of public instruction.

State wide, Montana students are 37 percent proficient in math, 46 percent proficient in reading and 37 percent proficient in science.

“I believe these scores do not reflect what is really happening. But, they do say something. They say that there is a need, a definite need, to focus on the basics,” Arntzen told Montana Public Radio in a phone interview.

Arntzen said students take standardized tests once at the end of each year. A new model rolling out statewide next school year will test students multiple times in smaller doses. Arntzen believes the change will better reflect student learning.

The state report card also indicated ongoing absenteeism issues. Two-thirds of Montana students missed more than 10 days of school last year, down slightly from 2022, but sharply higher than 2021.

Here is a selection of Valley County Schools and results from the Every Student Succeeds Act for the 2022-2023 school year:

Glasgow K-12

36 percent proficient in Math

34 percent Proficient in Reading

31 percent Proficient in Science

Per pupil expenditure - $11,808

Lustre Elementary

51 percent proficient in Math

65 percent proficient in Reading

89 percent proficient in Science

Per pupil expenditure - $12,624

Nashua K-12

24 percent proficient in Math

36 percent proficient in Reading

29 percent proficient in Science

Per pupil expenditure - $16,502

Frazer Elementary

5 percent proficient in Math

4 percent proficient in Reading

0 percent proficient in Science

Per pupil expenditure -$31,234

Frazer High School

21 percent proficient in Math

13 percent proficient in Reading

0 percent proficient in Science

Per pupil expenditure - $47,480