2008 Arkansas Benchmarks Exam Results

The Arkansas Department of Education released the results of the Arkansas Benchmark exams and the new Stanford Achievement Test, 10th edition, which Arkansas students took in the spring.

The Arkansas Benchmark exams were administered to all students in grades three through eight in two content areas: literacy and reading. Student scores fall into four categories: Below Basic, Basic, Proficient and Advanced. Proficient is considered grade-level. The test results are used by the schools to identify students who need remediation. The state will use the results later this summer to identify and sanction those schools and districts that have fallen short of state minimum standards, and are classified as needing improvement. The state has only 5 years to reach the goal of all students achieving at a proficient or better level as called for in the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2002.