JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — Joplin school officials say results of student assessment scores show the impact of a devastating 2011 tornado.

Joplin’s results on the Missouri Assessment Program tests taken last year showed the district’s students dropped in 11 categories but improved in seven areas.

The test results in communication arts and math are used by the state and school districts to assess school districts’ performance.

Joplin Superintendent C.J. Huff says it’s impossible to know exactly how the tornado impacted test results.

The Joplin Globe reports that Huff says the focus last school year was on helping students recover from a May 22, 2011 tornado that devastated parts of Joplin. He says students missed a lot of class time and many moved to new schools. The district also started a new curriculum.

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