Asotin-Anatone School District earn highest levels in testing in L-C Valley

School districts in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley have received state testing scores, with Asotin-Anatone School District receiving the highest levels.

In the Asotin-Anatone School District, 64% of students met the state standards for their grade level in English language arts, 52% met the standard in math and 62% in science for the 2023-24 school year. In the district for that year, 324 students took the English and math tests, which are done in grades 3-8 and 10th grade. For the science test, 127 students participated and the test is conducted for grades 5, 8 and 11, according to the Washington Office of Public Instruction.

Asotin-Anatone Superintendent Dale Bonfield is pleased with the numbers, which are higher in the elementary and high school grades and lower at the middle school level. Bonfield said they have some work to do at the middle school level but have new training for teachers to help with the students’ curriculum.

“It’s just helping our teachers have more tools in their tool bag to work with all kids,” Bonfield said.

He said that teachers continue to work with students to make sure they have the skills and put in the effort to make progress so they can pass the tests. The small class sizes also help make sure students are keeping up with their learning.

“Teachers really get to know our students really well and understand the areas they need to work on to improve,” Bonfield said. “I think there’s a definite advantage there.”

Statewide in Washington, 50% of students met standards in English, 40% in math and 44% in science in 2023-24, according to the Washington Office of Public Instruction.

In the Clarkston School District, 47% met the standard in English, 30% in math and 47% in science in 2023-24. For the 2023-24 school year, 1,331 students took the math and English test and 555 students took the science test.

Superintendent Thaynan Knowlton said he’s still analyzing the data, by subject, grade and over the years to help inform the district on the test scores and how to improve. He already noted that 10th grade English scores improved from 55% meeting the standard in 2022-23 to 65% meeting the standard in 2023-24.

The district has also adopted a new reading curriculum and a new science curriculum, which he anticipates will improve results.

“Of course, we’re trying to not just match what the state’s doing but as a comparison that’s a good starting point,” Knowlton said.

Across the river into Idaho, the Lewiston School District received results from the spring 2024 Idaho Standards Achievement Test. In the English language arts test, 60% of students were proficient or advanced and 51% in math, according to a news release from the Lewiston School District. Science scores were 33% proficient, according to the Idaho Department of Education.

Statewide Idaho students have reached 54% proficiency in English, 42% in math and 42% in science, according to Idaho Education News.

Students in grades 3-8 are tested on English and math while grades 5 and 8 take the science test. The Lewiston School District tested 2,413 students, according to the news release.

Compared to other schools that tested at least 1,500 students, Lewiston was ranked third in the English scores and ranked second in northern Idaho. In math, Lewiston was ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in northern Idaho, according to the news release from the school district.

“We’re very proud of the work we’ve been doing to continue to improve our academic performance,” Superintendent Lance Hansen said. “It’s good to see the Lewiston School District becoming a leader in academic excellence throughout the state.”

Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.