Scores for Bridgeport students dip in math, English language arts on state tests

BRIDGEPORT — Students in the Bridgeport Public Schools saw slight declines in their math and English language arts scores on the Smarter Balanced Assessment from the 2024-25 to 2025-26 school year, according to new statewide data. 

“This year’s assessment results provide important information as we continue our efforts to improve outcomes for all students,” said a statement released Wednesday by the Bridgeport Public Schools.

The district’s Smarter Balanced scores are also still below prepandemic levels.  In the 2018-19 school year, the percentage of students who were proficient in ELA was 27.4% and for math, it was 15.7%.

Smarter Balanced tests are administered statewide and measure how well students in grades 3 to 8 have mastered English language arts and math. The 2025-26 data was released Monday by the state Department of Education.  

For the SAT, which is taken by 11th graders, the district saw an increase in the percentage of students who earned a proficient score on the math portion of the assessment. The number went up from 10% in 2024-25 to 14.6% in 2025-26.  

However, on the English portion of the SAT, the percentage of students earning mastery scores went down from 33.5% in 2024-25 to 30.2% in 2025-26.

“We are encouraged by areas of progress across the district and remain focused on the intentional work outlined in our School Improvement Strategic Plan,” the district’s statement said. 

“By strengthening classroom instruction, supporting principal-led school improvement efforts, enhancing intervention systems, and building literacy capacity through the Science of Reading, we are working to ensure every student receives the support needed to succeed,” the statement said.