Clark County students show improvement in math skills

Middle and high school students made significant gains in passing a first-semester common math assessment, but Clark County School District officials acknowledged Wednesday that more work needs to be done.

Fifty-one percent of eighth-graders passed their pre-algebra test in the first semester of 2009-10, compared to only 21 percent of eighth-graders passing the test in the fall semester of 2007.

Twenty-one percent of high school students passed their algebra test compared to only 9 percent in 2007.

Forty-three percent of high school students passed their geometry test compared to 12 percent in 2007.

"There are still too many disappointing scores, but we are not to be daunted with discouragement," Superintendent Walt Rulffes said. "You have got to get the wheel moving before you gain speed, and we'll keep pushing that wheel."

The common assessment is a districtwide math test given twice year.

Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-799-2922.