Math, reading scores increase
Published 9:52 pm Tuesday, November 1, 2011
SEATTLE — Washington student scores on national math and reading tests are up slightly compared to results from two years ago and students from the Evergreen State continue to score just above the national average on the only academic tests taken nationwide.
The U.S. Department of Education released data Tuesday showing fewer than 10 states finished statistically higher than Washington in both grades on the National Assessment of Education Progress, also known as the nation’s report card.
In math, Washington students finished with an average score of 243 in fourth grade and 288 in eighth grade. The national average was 240 for fourth grade and 283 in eighth grade.
In reading, Washington students finished with an average score of 221 in the fourth grade and 268 in eighth grade. The national average was 220 for fourth grade and 264 in the eighth grade.
This change in scores from 2009, which was the last time the reading and math tests were given nationwide, was statistically insignificant.
“Just like with our state exams, we are seeing the trend of our test results flattening out,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn. “With the continued cuts to education, we don’t expect that trend to change.”
Dorn commended Washington’s students and teachers for continuing to do well despite diminishing resources.
Education reform advocates are not as impressed by the scores as Dorn, said Liv Finne, director of the education program at Washington Policy Center.
“It really gets me when Superintendent Dorn says students are doing well on the NAEP because our scores are a few points above the national average,” she said.
Finne points out that the national average is low, with only about a third of students rated proficient or better. Also, Washington has more white and Asian students as a percentage of the population than other states, so demographics boost the state’s scores.
The tests were given in early 2011 to about 4,000 fourth graders in 130 elementary schools across the state.
State officials remain most concerned about achievement levels in early grades. Dorn expressed concern about state support for early learning, including money for keeping class sizes small in grades K-4 and for all-day kindergarten.
“We need to ensure all students receive the instruction they need and deserve in early grades to succeed throughout their school career,” Dorn said.
According to the national test scores, Washington has made little or no progress in closing the achievement gap between kids of different races.
The biggest gaps are in grade 8 math, where black students had an average score that was 29 points lower than white students. The gap for Hispanic students was 25 points and for students eligible for low income students, it was 26 points.
In fourth grade math, black students had an average score that was 22 points lower than white students. The gap for Hispanic students was 23 points and for low income students, it was 24 points.
Reading gaps are smaller for black students and around the same for Hispanic students, with an 18-20 point difference for black students, a 23-29 gap for Hispanic students and a 21-31 gap for low income students.
The performance gaps have not changed significantly since mid- to late-1990s.
On the Web
www.k12.wa.us/assessment/NAEP
