Standardized test scores of students in Butler County varied by school districts and often seem to have a correlation to income levels.

Students in the Mars School District earned the county's highest average test scores while students in the Karns City and Moniteau school districts earned some of the county's lowest average marks.

The biggest disparity was in the grade 11 science results.

For example, 84 percent of Mars students scored proficient or advanced on the science test, while only 48 percent of the Karns City students and 21 percent of the Moniteau students did. The statewide average score for the grade 11 science test is 54 percent proficient or advanced.

Students in 3rd through 8th grades took PSSA tests, while 11th graders took Keystone Exams to get these scores.

But the disparity narrows in other subjects.

Mars students scored 89 percent proficient or advanced scores in math/algebra I and in reading/literature. Meanwhile, 70 percent of Karns City students scored proficient or advanced in math, and 73 percent did in reading/literature.

A correlation between income and test scores in districts also seems apparent.

According to the Pennsylvania School Performance Profile website, fewer than 8 percent of the Mars students are considered economically disadvantaged. However, nearly 44 percent of Moniteau students are economically disadvantaged, and that number is 36.5 percent for Karns City students.

Eric Ritzert, Karns City superintendent, said curriculum changes and classes misaligning with test taking times contributed to test scores in his district, which are some of the lowest average standardized test scores in the county.

“As we're preparing to address the tests and the exams, it takes a little bit of time to adjust the curriculum,” he said.

For example, a few students were taking tests on subject matter before they had the opportunity to take the classes.

“It is something we want to change to make sure we're aligning things properly,” Ritzert said. “Moving forward, they'll be taking the test in the year that they take the content.”

Calls made to Matt Friedman, Mars assistant superintendent, were not returned.

For score information, go to www.eseafedreport.com.

Here are scores for students in the Butler County area. The percent is for the amount of students who are proficient or advanced in that academic area.The overall scores combine PSSA scores in grades three to eight; Keystone Exams in grade 11; and the PASA in grades three to eight and 11.<b>District overall math/Algebra I</b>A-C Valley, 66%Butler, 79%Freeport, 86%Grove City, 73%Karns City, 70%Mars, 89%Moniteau, 80%Seneca Valley, 86%Slippery Rock, 78%South Butler, 84%Union, 67%<b>District overall reading/ Literature</b>A-C Valley, 66%Butler, 76%Freeport, 83%Grove City, 74%Karns City, 73%Mars, 89%Moniteau, 77%Seneca Valley, 84%Slippery Rock, 75%South Butler, 82%Union, 66%<b>PSSA exam results Grade 8 Science</b>A-C Valley, 69%Butler, 69%Grove City, 81%Freeport, 80%Karns City, 73%Mars, 85%Moniteau, 68%Seneca Valley, 83%Slippery Rock, 65%South Butler, 76%Union, 60%<b>Keystone exam results Grade 11 Science</b>A-C Valley, 66%Butler, 76%Freeport, 66%Grove City, 46%Karns City, 48%Mars, 84%Moniteau, 21%Seneca Valley, 59%Slippery Rock, 43%South Butler, 76%Union, 50%SOURCE: Percentages via eseafedreport.com