After waiting longer than in past years, scores from the first full year of PARCC testing in the state have been released. In the past, schools have received scores with three levels of performance: did not meet expectations, met expectations and exceed expectations. This year, that scale moved to five levels for the PARCC assessment: did not yet meet expectations, partially met expectations, approached expectations, met expectations and exceeded expectations. For the state as a whole, 33% of students across all grades met or exceeded expectations. In our area, St. Elmo and Mulberry Grove had 28% of students meet or exceed while Brownstown saw 27%, Ramsey had 21% and Vandalia had 14% of their students meet or exceed expectations. When looking at the individual subject areas tested, English language arts and Mathematics, school districts in the area as a whole tested better in language arts, many within 3-5% of the state average while mathematics scores were on commonly 8% below the state average. Full reports of each school district’s scores can be found at