Texas’ NAEP Results are a Mixed Bag

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) recently released its analysis of student achievement in mathematics for each state.  The results, which are released every two years, look at test results for 4th and 8th grade students in core subjects.
The following are some highlights of the report:

4th Grade Math:

• Scores for all students fell from 242 in 2007 to 240 in 2009.  This caused the state’s 4th graders to fall from 4th place among states to 5th nationally.
• White students gained a point from 253 to 254, but fell from 4th to 5th nationally.
• Black students gained a point from 230 to 231 and maintained a 3rd place ranking nationally.
• Hispanic students dropped from 236 to 233 and fell from 5th to 11th nationally.
• Economically -disadvantaged students fell from 235 to 233 and dropped from 5th place to 11th place.

8th Grade Math:

• Overall results went from 286 to 287, but our ranking dropped from 11th to 13th.
• White students improved from 300 to 301, but dropped from 2nd to 4th nationally.
• Black students improved from 271 to 272 and jumped from 4th to 1st nationally.
• Hispanic students remained at 277, but dropped from 2nd to 5th nationally.
• Economically -disadvantaged students improved from 275 to 276, but fell from 2nd to 5th.

All student groups bettered the national average on test scores and most have consistently remained in the top five nationally.

However, as more states improve their curricula and assessments, Texas must continue to raise the bar to keep pace.  According to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, "None of us should be satisfied.  We need reforms that will accelerate student achievement.  Our students need to graduate high school ready to succeed in college and the workplace."
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Articles in this issue of TIER CAPITOL UPDATE Volume1, Issue15

• Texas’ NAEP Results are a Mixed Bag
• TEA Adopts Projection Model
• TCCW Adopts 2010 Goals

Read the entire issue in PDF