St Louis County School Districts’ Test Scores Are Declining
St. Louis County School Districts are experiencing a decline in Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) and End of Course (EOC) test scores. These tests are administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). MAP and EOC tests, as defined by DESE, are Assessments used to measure how well students acquire the skills and knowledge described in the Missouri’s Learning Standards (MLS). This information is used to diagnose individual student strengths and weaknesses in relation to the instruction of the MLS and to gauge the overall quality of education throughout Missouri.
The table below provides a 10-year snapshot of this decline for 8th grade Math MAP scores for seven of the St. Louis County School Districts. Research has shown 8th grade math is a kind of "deadline" that "most accurately predicts a child’s success in college and beyond (Forbes, 2015). These seven districts represent approximately 52% of the K-12 School District enrollment in St. Louis County. Scroll below (interactive graph) to explore the decline in other content areas.
Missouri MAP Scores (Math): Percent Scored Proficient or Above in 8th Grade Math
What Has Contributed to this Decline?
Critical Pedagogy has entered the classroom. Critical Pedagogy is the use of critical theory in instruction and the goal is to shift the focus of education to power structures such as race, gender and equity as opposed to academic excellence (e.g., Math, Science, ELA, Social Studies). Examples of critical pedagogy in our schools include Critical Race Theory (CRT), gender ideologies, class structures and others.
CRT is an ideology that states certain social structures exist to dominate and oppress various groups of people while benefiting others. Ideas of CRT are often weaved into the minds of children using narrative-driven themes in school programs that sound “positive” like diversity, equity, inclusion, and social emotional learning. Gender ideology is a view that the sex assigned at birth may not capture the complexity of the individual’s internal sense of gender (gender identify).
According to a recent City Journal article (2022), “students are being taught CRT and gender theory on a regular basis.” Study results from this survey (see below) reflect the responses (sample of US 18- to 20-years-olds) to questions regarding CRT and gender theory concepts and whether respondents were taught or asked about them in their schools they had attended prior. based on the survey findings, students are being exposed to these ideologies and others in schools.
According to Betsy McCaughey (2022), there is a well-financed movement determined to expose American children in the classroom to the LBGTQ+ agenda, inappropriate sexual education material and transgender ideology. Is this type of indoctrination in schools contributing to the significant increases in US young people with gender dysphoria diagnoses and percentages identifying as LGBT? A recent Gallop Poll (2022) reported that the percentage of Gen Z (born 1997-2003) who identify as LGBT has nearly doubled since 2017. In addition the number of youth (ages 6-17) that have received a gender dysphoria diagnosis (see table above) has tripled since 2017 (Reuters Investigates, 2022).
We hear from parents and grandparents all the time who are concerned about these radical ideologies being infused into the school curriculum. These ideologies can be confusing and dangerous to both the minds and bodies of developing youth. At a recent Mom’s For Liberty conference, pollster Jim McLaughlin shared results of a survey he had conducted of likely voters in the upcoming general election. Results indicated that a “clear majority (67 percent) feel that K–12 public education in the U.S. is “on the wrong track,” . . . it’s more important for schools to teach children “basics” like reading, writing, and math rather than “issues of social justice, reproductive rights, sex education, and transgender issues.” (The Free Press, 2023).
According to Stephen Wallis (2021), “experience, research and countless other surveys and studies for years show the correlation between good parenting, student achievement and school success.” Parents are the best advocates for their children and that’s why so many are taking a stand, speaking up to school administrators, advocating on behalf of their children and the community. We must stand together to bring positive change to our schools and create a brighter future for our children.
What Can You Do To Restore Academics as a Primary Focus In Your School District
Contact your Superintendent and Board members. Tell them you oppose policies and classroom instruction that promote social justice through an emphasis on racism and gender ideology.
Attend your local School Board Meetings and share your concerns. If we don’t speak up today, it may be too late to make a change tomorrow.
Support and vote for School Board candidates that commit to promoting academic excellence.
Lobby your State Representative and State Senator to support improving education success, parental rights legislation, and educational transparency.
Sign up on our home page for email newsletters and legislative alerts.
Donate money to help us reach thousands of voters through direct mail and social media campaigns.
MAP and End of Course Test scores – 2012-2022
This is an interactive analytical tool that allows users to see the trend in selected MAP test scores from 2012-2022. The reports show the percentage of students that are at Grade Level Proficiency or above Grade Level Proficiency. The data is aggregated by district for all the students in each particular grade by the content area.
To see the results, enter the content area and grade level in the drop down boxes to see the 10 year trend by content area. This will show particular St. Louis County districts and their MAP Scores for all their students in a particular grade.
Key Information:
This data was provided by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in spreadsheet form. Information about MAP testing can be found on this site.
ELA and Math Scores are for grades 3 through 8.
Science Scores are grades 5 and 8.
A1 and A2 are for High School Math End of Course exams.
E1 and E2 are for High School ELA End of Course Exams.
B1 is for the High School Science End of Course Exam.