Zelma Releases New State Assessment Data - Version 2.0
2024 state assessment data released for nearly all states & D.C. + updated files
Hello everyone!
To everyone who subscribes here for updates on state assessment data, you may know that the dataset we use to produce our test score briefs comes from the Zelma State Assessment Data Repository. Please see the message from the Zelma team below about the newest release of the state data, Version 2.0, which now includes 2024 assessment data for nearly all states + D.C., and new data for a variety of state files. Version 2.0 currently does not include 2024 data for Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, or Virginia.
The State Assessment Data Repository aims to make state assessment data more widely accessible and engaging for the all. Zelma includes publicly-available assessment data from State Education Agencies (SEAs) for students in Grades 3-8. The repository does not currently include alternative assessment data (unless aggregated with the general assessment data). You can ask Zelma for data by school or district (make sure to specify the state!), race/ethnicity, economic status, and more. You ask questions in natural language, and Zelma will produce graphs and tables to display the results. You can read more about it here.
A Message from Zelma:
Zelma Releases New Data - Version 2.0
Our team at Zelma is excited to announce the release of the newest version of the state assessment data repository, Version 2.0. Since our launch of Zelma in December 2023, we have been hard at work updating and incorporating additional data for research and exploration. We've included some of the highlights below.
Please help us spread the word - consider emailing this email to a friend, or subscribe for Zelma data updates!
As always, you may send your comments, questions or feedback to zelmadata@gmail.com. We hope to hear from you!
Access Version 2.0
There are two primary ways to access the data files:
You may access the raw data files via our Codebook & Downloads page. This page also documents Zelma's data availability by state, subject, and year (including what years are missing from state data); new V2.0 data documentation; and the new V2.0 codebook. You may choose to download the full Zelma dataset, or select individual states and years.
You may access the data via our new API, using R, Stata, or Python. This allows you to easily load the full V2.0 dataset into your software program.
We encourage you to access and explore our new data files!
Ask Zelma!
Zelma Version 2.0 data are now used for all Zelma queries. Try it out! If there are data you do not see, let us know at zelmadata@gmail.com and we will do our best to explain why or try to include the data in future data releases. Here are some examples of the new data available to query.
Display 1: Data by English learner status will show subgroup data, if available. For example, California data now include outcomes for multiple EL categories, including English learners (ELs), ELs who have exited EL classification, students who are English proficient, students classified as "Ever EL" (i.e., students who have ever been classified as EL, whether or not they are currently), and students classified as long-term ELs (LTELs).
Math proficiency rates based on English Learner (EL) status in California between 2014-15 and 2023-24
Display 2: Zelma can also help you explore subject-area trends Subject-area trends can be explored using Zelma.
ELA and Math Proficiency Rates in Mississippi between 2014-15 and 2023-24
Display 3: Zelma can also help you dig into results at the school or district level by state and subject.
Top 10 Districts for ELA Scores in Rhode Island in 2023-24
Version 2.0 Highlights
NEW to Version 2.0
New 2024 data. Zelma now includes 2024 assessment data for 44 states + D.C. States without 2024 available include: Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Mexico, Vermont, or Virginia.
New outcomes by achievement level. Zelma added achievement level data for Delaware at the state, district and school level between 2015-2024.
Additional data disaggregation. New subgroup data disaggregated by grade level has been incorporated at the state level for Maine for 2023, and for science and social studies for Indiana between 2014-2024.
Greater scope. New data for the Texas STAAR assessment administered in Spanish are incorporated for the first time in ELA, math, and science from 2022 onward. New California science data are incorporated for 2019-2024.
UPDATED for Version 2.0
Ohio. Performance levels for Ohio are now mapped onto 5 performance levels.
Texas. Proficiency criteria for Texas now reflects Levels 3-4.
For questions about Zelma, you may also reach out to zelmadata@gmail.com.