The preliminary data bolsters claims by education officials that scores went up on most Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests where new curriculum has been in place two years or more. Scores plummeted on the sixth- and seventh-grade social studies test and the eighth-grade math test, both of which were in the first year of a new curriculum.

State officials say those scores aren't comparable to previous years.

The high failure rates surprised students and angered parents, who say their children weren't taught what was on the tests. The social studies scores have been thrown out, but education officials say the math scores are accurate.