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NAEP Scores Show Historic Gains
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MEDIA REQUESTS
- Dana Tofig, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 463-1487, dtofig@doe.k12.ga.us
- Governor's Press Office, (404) 651-7774
September 25, 2007 – Georgia’s 4th graders are scoring at the national level in reading, according to results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released today.
Georgia students scored at all-time highs on the NAEP in math and reading. The biggest gains, however, were seen in reading, providing further evidence that Georgia's new curriculum -- the Georgia Performance Standards -- is having a big impact.
"These results are a clear indication that Georgia education is on the right path," said State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox. "We know that our new curriculum is setting high expectations for all of our students and those high expectations are paying off."
Governor Sonny Perdue said the results make it clear that Georgia's schools are moving in the right direction.
"This is the latest in a series of results showing higher achievement in Georgia schools. For the first time, Georgia's 4th graders are on par with 4th graders across the nation in reading and we can note increases in all other grades and subjects,” Governor Perdue said. “I am proud of what our students, teachers and parents have accomplished, and I look forward to even more increased achievement in the next round of NAEP testing in 2009."
Georgia students in grades 4 and 8 took the NAEP exams in Reading and Mathematics last school year. The students who were tested had been taught using the state's new Reading/English Language Arts curriculum for two years. However, they had not been taught the new math curriculum, which was implemented in grades 4 and 8 this school year.
The NAEP is given to a representative sample of students in every state. Scores are broken into four categories -- below basic, basic, proficient and advanced.
Reading Gains
In Reading, 66 percent of Georgia’s 4th graders scored at or above the basic level in reading, one point higher than the nation. Georgia saw an eight-point increase in the percentage of students scoring at or above the national level.
"This the first time that Georgia students have scored at the national level, but it won't be the last time," Superintendent Cox said. "As we continue to implement and use the new curriculum, we expect to see this type of improvement on a regular basis."
"I want to thank our great educators for embracing the new standards and taking on the challenge of higher expectations," she said. "I also want to thank Governor Perdue, the State Board of Education and the Georgia State Legislature for supporting us as we seek to bring a rigorous and relevant curriculum to all students."
Aside from the curriculum, the Superintendent credited the federal Reading First program, which has given more than $100 million to 118 schools over the past four years. That money is used to help assure that students in early grades are learning to read. Superintendent Cox also credited the No Child Left Behind Act and the state's promotion and retention policy for bringing a new focus to reading education.
Georgia's 8th graders improved on the reading test, as well. The percentage of students scoring at or above basic increased to 70 percent, just two points off the national average.
Modest Gains in Math
The state's 4th and 8th graders showed modest improvements in mathematics, although they still trail the nation.
"Once the math standards take hold in 4th and 8th grade, I know we'll see improvements like we saw in reading this year," Superintendent Cox said.
In 4th grade, 79 percent of the students tested scored at or above basic. That's an increase of three points from 2005 and is just two points behind the nation.
In 8th grade, 64 percent of the students tested scored at or above basic, an increase of two points. However, that score was still six points below the national average.
At or Above the Nation
Georgia's minority students continued to score the same or better than minority students across the nation.
In 4th grade reading, for instance, Georgia's African-American students had a scale score of 205, two points higher than the national African-American average. Hispanic students scored a 212, seven points higher than the national Hispanic average. (NAEP is scored on a scale of 0-500).
In 4th grade mathematics, African-Americans in Georgia scored the same as their peers across the nation, with a scale score of 222. Hispanic students scored a 229 in Georgia, two points higher than the nation.
TEST PARTICIPATION
4th Grade
- 9,297 students from 156 districts participated
- 4,783 took the math test
- 4,514 took the reading test
8th Grade
- 6,891 students from 120 districts participated
- 3,363 took the math test
- 3,528 took the reading test
More Information:
- Charts and Graphics
- National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) website: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/
- Georgia Reading First website: http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/pandp/readingfirst/homepg.htm
- U.S. Department of Education Reading First website: http://www.ed.gov/programs/readingfirst/index.html
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