Are state skills-test numbers wrong?

The State Office of Education's count of graduating seniors passing the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test doesn't align with district reports.

The state's largest school districts are reporting pass rates in the 80 and 90 percent range. They account for about half of Utah's public school enrollment.

The state, on the other hand, reports a 74 percent pass rate statewide.

Associate superintendent Judy Park was surprised by the differences Thursday.

"No way should we have this kind of discrepancy," she said. "In all honesty, I hope we're wrong."

So who's right?

Testing directors in a handful of local districts wonder if the state's pass rates are too low, especially considering some of those districts typically score near state averages.

State director of assessment and accountability Deborah Swensen says there are a few reasons the numbers differ, including 8,300 students who can't be tracked down by what's supposed to be a state ID number. But, she adds: "This (data) is as accurate as the information we have."

State law requires students, beginning in their sophomore year, to pass all three basic skills test sections in reading, writing and math, and gives them up to five times to do it.

If they don't pass, one of two things might happen. If they at least took the test three times but still failed, they get a high school diploma that states they did not pass the exam. Anything less, and they get a certificate of completion. Students who repeatedly fail can get a state voucher for tutoring help.

This year, some 9,500 students, or 26 percent, didn't pass all three sections, the State Office of Education reported this week.

But Davis School District wonders about that number. Just over 91 percent of its students have passed the test, assessment and research director Chris Wahlquist reports.

"Usually, Davis School District is a very close mirror for state data," Wahlquist said. "The demographics of Davis School District are very similar to the statewide demographics."

Granite School District, whose test performance is typically right around, or slightly below, the state's, says 81 percent of seniors are passing the exam, said Darryl Thomas, director of research, assessment and evaluation.