Natrona County students seem to excel on the math and reading sections of the Proficiency Assessment for Wyoming Students, according to results released Wednesday by the Wyoming Department of Education.

The results also show students are still struggling to meet benchmarks on the writing portion of the test.

Results from the 2008 test showed reading and math scores increased an average of 9 percent across the district when compared to 2006 results.

Comparing 2006 and 2008 PAWS results is a more accurate picture of student achievement, since the test was administered twice in 2007 with the best average score recorded.

Superintendent Joel Dvorak said the district as a whole did well on PAWS, even if Adequate Yearly Progress results suggested a somewhat different picture.

"AYP results and our improvement on PAWS certainly don't directly correlate with each other," Dvorak said. "Our goal is to make dramatic improvement in the number of students who are proficient on the PAWS test in all grade levels."

The school district doesn't compare its yearly PAWS scores against its past results, according to Trevor Mahlum, the school district's assessment data coordinator.

The PAWS test has been administered differently every year since its inception, making it difficult to compare results from year to year.

Instead, the district measures its scores against state averages, and focuses on closing the gap between the two, Mahlum said.

The district is also comparing its 2008 and 2006 PAWS scores against state averages, since funding in 2006 added tutors, instructional facilitators and other instructional supports to schools.

Data shows Natrona County students meet statewide averages in reading and math, but still struggle with writing. Dvorak said the writing portion of PAWS has a higher benchmark for proficiency than reading or math.

Like other Natrona County schools, Willard Elementary's reading scores have increased considerably. In 2006, only 30 percent of students tested proficient. In 2008, the number jumped to 65 percent.

"We're pretty well pleased with our PAWS scores," said principal Leslie Madden. "We are a Reading First school, and we align our instruction completely with our assessments."

Madden attributed the school's success to its dedicated and determined teachers and support staff. Everyone holds students - and each other - accountable for results, she added.

In addition to PAWS results, Willard uses a variety of growth, math and reading assessments to gauge student achievement. Schools may complain about student testing, but there are benefits, Madden said.

"We clearly know where every single student stands in all academic areas, and that makes a huge, huge difference," she said.

Students spent the first week of school completing math and reading assessments, Madden said. They are already working in small learning groups to help address any gaps.

"Because of all those scores, we sat down for five hours as a team and determined which students needed extra time and help and support to bring their scores up," Madden said. "At Willard, we are very, very focused on student achievement."

Dvorak said that while PAWS is an important measure of literacy, mathematics and writing, the district uses a variety of achievement assessments. Student growth data in particular shows Natrona County's achievement is on the rise.

"We see our trends as positive, but our work is to accelerate those trends," Dvorak said. "This is one important measure that tells us we're on the right track."

The school district won't be satisfied until every student is achieving at his or her highest potential, he added.

"We want everyone chasing us," Dvorak said.

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com

2006 District Level PAWS Results

Math

Grade Below Basic Basic Proficient Advanced Proficient/Advanced

3 22 22 54 13 68

4 11 20 55 14 70

5 12 25 49 13 62

6 18 17 47 18 65

7 23 22 41 15 56

8 25 23 39 12 52

11 14 28 46 11 57

Read

3 12 33 46 9 55

4 12 31 47 11 57

5 11 27 49 13 62

6 17 29 41 12 54

7 18 24 41 16 57

8 14 27 46 13 59

11 20 25 41 14 55

Write

3 24 42 29 5 33

4 12 50 33 5 38

5 21 48 29 3 31

6 17 44 34 4 39

7 22 37 35 6 41

8 9 36 50 6 56

11 14 31 41 14 55

2008 District Level PAWS Results

Math

Grade Below Basic Basic Proficient Advanced Proficient/Advanced

3 3.7 16.4 60.6 19.3 79.9

4 9.4 15.3 50.3 25 75.3

5 9.3 22.7 46.7 21.4 68.1

6 8.7 13.4 51.9 25.9 77.8

7 14.8 20.4 45.4 19.3 64.8

8 20.1 19 43 18 60.9

11 8.1 26 57.7 8.2 65.9

Reading

3 10.6 30.1 50.4 9 59.4

4 4.3 25.5 49.2 21.1 70.2

5 8.3 27.1 56.5 8.1 64.6

6 9.5 24.1 50.4 15.9 66.3

7 10.7 24.6 56.8 7.8 64.6

8 7.3 27.1 54.4 11.2 65.6

11 8.9 19.3 57.9 13.9 71.8

Writing

3 21.2 41.7 34.6 2.5 37.1

4 21.9 29.8 44.8 3.6 48.3

5 34.8 37.5 26.7 1.1 27.7

6 21.1 38.2 36.7 4 40.8

7 24.5 35.8 35 4.7 39.7

8 21.2 25.1 49.6 4.1 53.7

11 8.4 16.9 58.5 16.2 74.7