State's 8th-grade writing scores improve

From the Department of Public Instruction

Wisconsin public school 8th-graders improved their performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) writing assessment, with an overall average scale score of 158 for 2007 compared to 153 in 1998. The NAEP writing assessment was administered to 2,585 8th-grade students in a sampling of schools throughout the state.

Scale scores were above the national average for most student groups in Wisconsin. The state’s Hispanic students (149) and English-Language Learners (141) in the NAEP sample student group had average scale scores that were significantly higher than their national peers, (141 and 120 respectively). However, in Wisconsin and the nation, gaps in achievement remain between economically disadvantaged students, students of color, students with disabilities, those who are learning English, and their peers.

“Our overall student achievement is improving and parallels what we see on other assessments,” said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. “We must stay focused on raising achievement for all students, in particular our African-American students, and closing achievement gaps.”

She cited proven programming such as early learning through 4-year-old kindergarten, more individualized attention through smaller class sizes, increased adolescent literacy instruction, improved nutrition through school breakfast in addition to the state’s successful school lunch programs, and comprehensive school health programs as being among the efforts that provide support for student academic achievement.

“We know what works: quality educators in every classroom and strong leaders in every school, early learning opportunities and small class sizes, and shared responsibility by parents, schools, and communities to support student academic achievement,” Burmaster said.

Wisconsin was among 45 states and jurisdictions that participated in the 20078th-grade state writing assessment, administered between January and March of 2007. NAEP policies protect the privacy of individual students and their families and do not provide for the identification of participating schools.

Last September, it was reported that Wisconsin’s overall scale scores exceeded national averages on mathematics and reading tests.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: State black 8th-graders rank worst in nation in writing

Posted April 3, 2008