Those in the education field will hear a lot about the National Assessment of Educational Progress’ latest scores from the low-stakes test it distributes to the nation’s fourth-and eight-graders in the following weeks- but The Seventy-Four warns against over-valuing the results when it comes to policy changes. Earlier this year, 4,500 Colorado students spent one hour each taking one of the tests.
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The difference between the Kentucky and national average scores is modest – 278 compared to 281, respectively.
In fourth grade mathematics, two states performed higher, forty two performed lower, and seven were not significantly different.
Scores for eighth graders increased slightly in both subjects, with 27% proficiency in reading and 27% proficiency in math – each up 2% from 2013. Meanwhile, the national average fourth and eighth grade math scores dropped.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the “nation’s report card,” found the average of test scores for more than half a million students declined.
This story will be updated.
Canavero and education advocates cited a recent report from the Urban Institute that indicated the state was doing better than the Nation’s Report Card suggests, and improving faster than any other state in the nation from 2003-2013 when results are adjusted for demographics.
“This is a testament to the hard work of Florida’s educators in preparing our students and a reminder as to why we must remain committed to our robust education accountability system”.
In mathematics, 38% of Virginia eighth graders achieved proficient or advanced scores in 2015, with 10% performing at the advanced level.
“For too long, the state inflated its success on tests, while millions of students graduated from high school without basic math and reading skills or unable to complete the rigors of college”, said Executive Director Steve Sigmund in a news release. The Washington, DC-based nonprofit advocates closing achievement gaps between disadvantaged students and their peers. “We’ll have more information and a deeper conversation once we get the 2017 results”.
Fourth grade reading scores are an attention getter. Fourth graders, however, tested worse this time around than they did two years ago.
Using separate 0-500 scales, fourth graders in 2015 had an average math score of 240 points. The Smarter Balanced Assessments administered included 97 percent of students across the state in tested grades.
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Georgia students didn’t improve much on national math and reading test scores released Wednesday.
