CEDAR FALLS - Students in the Cedar Falls School District scored well on standardized tests taken last fall, according to data the School Board reviewed Monday.

Students showed a slight increase in proficiency in reading, math and science over the previous year's scores. All together, 90 percent of students in fourth, eighth and 11th grades were proficient in reading, math and science. (Proficient means the students scored in the 40th percentile or above, nationally for the subject.)

Elementary and junior high students take the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, and high school students take the Iowa Tests of Educational Development.

However, the results suggest not all Cedar Falls students are enjoying the same degree of academic success.

New federal requirements on sorting testing data by demographic groups have revealed notable differences among groups.

For example, students from low-income families were less likely to score well on the tests. Some 71 percent of fourth-graders on free or reduced-priced lunches were proficient in reading, compared to 87 percent of other students.

"Before you said, 'Oh, yeah, everyone's doing fine.' Now, they're looking specifically at what are the skills," said Clark Goltz, director of elementary education.

Another disparity exists with students in special education. Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, districts are responsible for bringing special-needs students up to proficiency in core subject areas. Special-needs students take the same test, although teachers may read the questions to the students.

Dan Conrad, director of secondary education, said educators have been heartened by modest gains in the scores.

"Special needs is, of course, the area that we're most concerned about," he said. "The trend in the past has been that the gap (in scores) gets larger (through school), and we're starting to address that."

Conrad said the district may run afoul of No Child standards in only one subgroup: eighth-graders with special needs.

School board member Susan Lantz expressed concern that teachers are gearing lesson plans around the test, rather than what they believe provides the best education for students.

"You weren't supposed to teach to the test," she said.

Conrad said the tests have prompted the district to reconsider when subjects are introduced or how they are taught.

Goltz said the district can be proud of its progress. He noted Cedar Falls students are averaging 1.4 years of academic growth in one year's time.

"It indicates there is growth," he said. "You will see some dips, but you have to look at it over time."

Jim Stanton can be contacted at (319) 291-1520 or jim.stanton@wcfcourier.com.