Report: Detroit Schools Worst In Science

DETROIT (WWJ) - According to a national report released Thursday, Detroit Public Schools are the worst in the nation when it comes to science. 

The National Assessment for Educational Progress test was conducted by fourth and eighth graders two years ago.  Results showed only 26-percent of Detroit students performed at or above the basic level.  Austin and Jefferson County, near Louisville Kentucky, had the highest scores at both grades.

Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb will be talking about the scores later Thursday But he said the science test was taken before his team came to the district. 

Bobb said the results are not surprising because reading and math tests also showed Detroit students were last nationally.

According to Bobb, since he came on board in the district, things have changed.

"Since the earlier results were released, I and my academic team have launched a five-year academic plan that which focuses on creating centers of excellence at every school in every neighborhood reforms throughout the district's 142 schools," Bobb said in a statement.

"The district also commenced millions of dollars in school building improvements as part of a voter-approved bond...We also created outlined ambitious goals, such as a 98 percent graduation rate by 2015. Just this week, we released data showing we are moving the dial on graduation rates," Bobb said.

In a release to the media, Bobb outlined several other changes institute in the district including:

·  reconstituted 22 K-8 schools and 17 high schools, replacing the leadership and significantly modifying the teaching staff within each school

· transformed most elementary schools to a new prek-8 configuration

· reassigned/hired 91 principals

· established principal performance-based contracts

· identified and engaged a number of nationally recognized partner providers to support transformation at the school level

· created and administered quarterly benchmark assessments aligned to the MEAP and NAEP in grades 3-12,

· developed a comprehensive plan of support for the district's persistently lowest achieving schools.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 for more on this developing story.