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On NAEP scores, Wisconsin students trend upward on math, hold steady on reading
Posted: 11/1/2011 10:13:10 AM
Math and reading scores held steady for Wisconsin students taking the National Assessment of Education Progress scores, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, and overall mathematics scores are trending higher.
Wisconsin fourth- and eighth-graders outperformed the national average in both mathematics and reading tests. While many scores were statistically the same as results in recent past years, math scores for both fourth- and eighth-graders were significantly higher than in 2003.
“Wisconsin ranks above the nation in math and reading. This shows the traditional strength of Wisconsin public schools,” said Mary Bell, a Wisconsin Rapids teacher and president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council. “There is still work to do to close achievement gaps, and as a union our members are at the forefront when it comes to solutions – such as more focus on reading intervention and early learning opportunities. The challenge our state faces now is that the budget priorities under this governor and Legislature fail to support those extra resources for those students who need the most help. Our students are depending on state leaders to make decisions that will help them succeed.”
Read below for more information on the NAEP scores from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
For a research brief from WEAC explaining the history of the National Assessment of Education Progress and what it means for education, click here.
From the DPI:
For fourth-grade mathematics, the state’s 2011 scale score was 245, up one point but statistically the same as in 2009, compared to the national scale score of 240, a one-point increase from 2009. Wisconsin results for fourth-grade math are significantly higher than in 2003 when the average scale score was 237. At eighth grade, the Wisconsin scale score for mathematics was 289, the same as in 2009 and up five points from 2003, which is statistically significant. For the nation, the 2011 mathematics scale score was 283, up one-point from 2009. State average scale scores in mathematics at both grade levels were statistically higher than the national score.
In reading, Wisconsin fourth-graders had a scale score of 221, one point higher than in 2009 though statistically the same as state results from 2003 through 2009 as well as this year’s national reading scale score of 220. At eighth grade, Wisconsin’s reading scale score was 267, also one-point higher than in 2009 but statistically unchanged. For the nation’s public school students, the eighth-grade reading scale score was 264. Wisconsin’s eighth-grade reading scale score is statistically higher than the national score.
“Our students are showing some positive trends in mathematics, but clearly, there is more work to be done to improve math and reading achievement for all children in our state,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers.
Evers noted that since the 2009 NAEP assessments Wisconsin adopted and is implementing the Common Core State Standards in English language arts and mathematics and is taking the lead in developing next generation assessments tied to those standards. The online, adaptive assessments will provide students, parents, and teachers timely feedback needed to improve learning. The state is working to strengthen its early learning standards, exploring statewide early literacy screening, and retooling educator preparation and ongoing professional development to promote early reading success. Several districts also are piloting next generation learning projects that use technology to customize the student experience.
“We can and must improve learning for all students and close achievement gaps. One way to do this is to provide early interventions for students that may be showing signs of struggling with reading or mathematics,” said Evers. “The Response to Intervention (RtI) framework provides a guide for schools to help identify and assist students who may need additional help.”
For full details from the DPI, click here.