Montgomery, Ala. ─ The Nation’s Report Card (National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP) in mathematics released today shows that Alabama 8th graders continue to gain more than the nation. Alabama 4th graders, while losing one point in the average math score, still showed improvements since 2005.
The NAEP released 8th grade mathematics assessment results that show American students making gradual progress in mathematics achievement, with the national public school average in 8th grade mathematics up two points from 2007. In Alabama public schools, NAEP results show 8th grade students made a three-point increase from 2007, with the Alabama average increasing from 266 in 2007, to 269 in 2009. Additionally, Alabama 8th graders made gains in students scoring in the highest category, “Advanced.” In 2007, Alabama had 2 percent of 8th graders in the Advanced category. In 2009, that number doubled to 4 percent while the national average stayed at 7 percent from 2007 to 2009. Nationwide, 8th grade students increased four points from 2005 to 2009. In Alabama, 8th grade mathematics progress from 2005 to 2009 shows a seven-point increase, from 262 to 269.
Gov. Bob Riley said, “Alabama’s improvement since 2005 shows we are on the right track. Still, less than 19 percent of the schools tested had been fully trained by the AMSTI program. We know Alabama will make even greater gains if we continue investing in proven programs like AMSTI that are truly making the difference.”
Eighth Grade Results |
2005 |
2007 |
2009 |
Change
since 2005 |
Change
since 2007 |
Alabama
Average Score |
262 |
266 |
269 |
+ 7 |
+ 3 |
National
Average Score |
278 |
280 |
282 |
+ 4 |
+ 2 |
The Nation’s Report Card also examines the progress of 4th grade students nationwide. Across the board, 4th grade students made no significant movement, as scores across the country, including Alabama, remained steady with averages reported as “not statistically different” from 2007.
Fourth Grade Results |
2005 |
2007 |
2009 |
Change
since 2005 |
Change
since 2007 |
Alabama
Average Score |
225 |
229 |
228 |
+ 3 |
- 1 |
National
Average Score |
237 |
239 |
239 |
+ 2 |
+ 0 |
State Superintendent of Education Joe Morton used a quote from Rosa Parks in reaction to the NAEP release of 4th and 8th grade math scores. “We’re not where we want to be, we’re not where we are going to be, but we’re not where we used to be,” Morton said. He also said the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) was fully implemented in less than 19 percent of Alabama schools selected for the February 2009 NAEP testing. The schools and students participating in NAEP assessments are selected by the National Center for Education Statistics to be representative both nationally and for public schools at the state level.
He said 8th grade scores are more promising than 4th grade scores and when 2005 and 2009 8th grade scores are combined, showing Alabama’s seven-point gain to the nation’s four-point gain, it indicates Alabama is closing the gap between the “old Alabama” and the national average. “We want to close the gap faster, but AMSTI expansion will be a big factor,” Morton said.
Alabama also continues to see gradual increases in the most challenging demographic area. Again, examining progress over time, students who receive free/reduced meals have made incremental increases over recent years. In 8th grade mathematics results, those on free/reduced meals scored 246 in 2003, 248 in 2005, 250 in 2007, and 255 in 2009. That represents an improvement of 9 points, but over a period of six years, and that is not adequate to catch and pass the national average for current students.
The NAEP, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, provides results for Alabama’s public school students at grades 4 and 8. Results are reported by average scale scores and by achievement levels (Basic, Proficient and Advanced). For more information about the assessment, see the NAEP Web site: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/
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