Alabama students are making progress on standardized tests, with scores rising in math, reading, and science across the state, according to newly released data from the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program.
State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey said the upward trend is encouraging. “We’re very encouraged because they are up in math and science and reading across the state. So our trajectory is definitely headed the right way,” Mackey said.
Mobile and Baldwin County Results
In Mobile County Schools, about 41% of students scored proficient in English Language Arts, a little more than 20% in math, and 33% in science. Baldwin County fared better, with 56% proficient in English Language Arts, 36% in math, and 49% in science.
Education officials attribute much of the improvement to students returning to in-person classroom instruction after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. “There’s a clear correlation that the longer schools stayed closed down to in-person instruction, the lower the test scores were,” Mackey said.
Challenges Remain for Disadvantaged Students
Despite the gains, significant gaps persist. Just 15% of economically disadvantaged students statewide are considered proficient, a trend that mirrors national patterns. Schools are working to close those gaps with after-school and summer programming, but officials say parental involvement is critical.
“Schools have right now an unprecedented amount of resources in state funds to provide after-school and summer school programming. We’ve got to get parents to take advantage of that,” Mackey said.
Mobile County’s Response
Mobile County Public Schools said in a statement that the district has implemented targeted interventions at every level. Elementary teachers have been trained in multi-sensory programs to address learning gaps, and the district has adopted systematic approaches to identifying students who need support in foundational reading and math skills.
The district also pointed to national recognition of its schools: Council Traditional School was ranked the top elementary school in Alabama by U.S. News and World Report, with Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science at No. 3 and Old Shell Road School for Creative and Performing Arts at No. 11.
The state plans to resume issuing school letter grades this November, a practice that was paused during the pandemic.