HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The first results from Connecticut's new standardized Smarter Balanced exams appear mixed. While more students than expected are excelling at English language arts, the scores show a need for improvement in math.

While the math scores matched state estimates, Education Commissioner Dianna Wentzell said Friday there's ``significant room for improvement'' and announced a new council to assist teachers.

This year, the Smarter Balanced tests replaced the Connecticut Mastery Test and Connecticut Academic Performance Test for students in grades 3 through 8 and 11. About 267,000 students took the test and schools have been eagerly awaiting the scores.

Results show more than 55 percent of students are meeting or exceeding the achievement level for English and about 39 percent for math. Officials have warned the scores would look lower than previous test scores.