Topic: Academic Achievement Testing

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No Child Left Behind waivers: five ways education will change

President Obama announced the first 10 states to receive waivers from certain aspects of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal education law on Thursday. Here’s a look at some ways they are pushing for progress through the flexibility granted by the waivers.
West loses edge to Asia in education: Top five OECD findings

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development group of industrialized nations released the results Tuesday of the test they give to 15-year-old students to measure math, science, and reading capabilities. The test, administered every three years by OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), was taken in 2009 in the 34 countries of the OECD and in 41 partner countries and economies (i.e. regional economic entities). Below, some of the top findings in the study, which was released today:
Are you smarter than a 12th-grader? A reading comprehension quiz.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress has just released the results of math and reading tests that 12th-graders took last year. The average score on the reading portion was higher than in 2005, but lower than in 1992. What follows are six sample questions from the reading section. Overall on the test, 38 percent of students scored at or above a proficient level in reading. How many questions can you answer correctly?

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No Child Left Behind waivers: five ways education will change

President Obama announced the first 10 states to receive waivers from certain aspects of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) federal education law on Thursday. Here’s a look at some ways they are pushing for progress through the flexibility granted by the waivers.
Students in big-city schools show gains in latest NAEP 'report card'

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) National Report Card shows clear and positive trend lines for big-city schools, though the progress has been slow.
Education report card: Flat reading scores are 'deeply disappointing'

Math scores inched up – barely – in the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), otherwise known as the 'nation’s report card.'
A test for America's reading skills in NAEP scores

Latest test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reveal slow progress in reading skills since 1992. Fortunately, Congress may refocus the No Child Left Behind law on better teaching of literacy.
Can the US compete if only 32 percent of its students are proficient in math?

Among the top-scoring places in the world that participated in a recent exam, math proficiency of 15-year-olds was well above 50 percent. One US state, Massachusetts, cleared that mark, barely.
Which is bigger: California or Los Angeles? Most fourth graders aren't sure.

Geography results from the National Report Card show that few students have a 'proficient' understanding of geography, as reading and math push social sciences out of the classroom.
Achievement gap for Hispanic students hasn't narrowed in 20 years

A first-of-its kind NAEP report finds hints of progress, but mostly a stubborn achievement gap between Hispanic and white students.
Jobs-focused education leaves history in the dustbin

New test scores on history and civics reveal how little American students know their nation's past. Yet such knowledge is essential for active citizens.
A third of high school seniors lack basic grasp of civics, US government

America's students are largely uninformed about the democratic process and US government, especially high school seniors, according to civics scores from the Nation's Report Card.
NAEP report: 'Rigor works,' so schools need tougher classes

More students – but still not enough – are taking a rigorous course load, according to the NAEP report card from The National Assessment of Educational Progress, released Wednesday.
How can Obama save our economy and our democracy? Humanities education

President Obama called the push to revamp our math and science education this generation's 'Sputnik moment.' But how many Americans even know what Sputnik is? Studies show US students don't know their own history. That's what the president should really be concerned about.
'Report card' on science: Most US students aren't 'proficient'

Just 34 percent of fourth-graders, 30 percent of eighth-graders, and 21 percent of 12th-graders performed at or above 'proficient' in a national science assessment, according to a NAEP report card.
West loses edge to Asia in education: Top five OECD findings

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development group of industrialized nations released the results Tuesday of the test they give to 15-year-old students to measure math, science, and reading capabilities. The test, administered every three years by OECD's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), was taken in 2009 in the 34 countries of the OECD and in 41 partner countries and economies (i.e. regional economic entities). Below, some of the top findings in the study, which was released today:
Math and reading test scores: Massachusetts excels, West Virginia lags

Eleven states volunteered to have their 12th-graders’ test scores itemized in the latest NAEP report. Nationally, 26 percent of high school seniors scored at or above the 'proficient' level in math.
Are you smarter than a 12th-grader? A reading comprehension quiz.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress has just released the results of math and reading tests that 12th-graders took last year. The average score on the reading portion was higher than in 2005, but lower than in 1992. What follows are six sample questions from the reading section. Overall on the test, 38 percent of students scored at or above a proficient level in reading. How many questions can you answer correctly?
US 'report card' on reading: 8th-graders gain, 4th-graders don't

Reading among 4th-graders did not improve for the first time since 2003, the latest NAEP scores show. The report, known as the 'nation's report card,' shows a slight gain among 8th-graders.
Student 'proficiency': What is your state's definition?

State standards and 'proficiency' measures vary widely, according to a new study from the National Center for Education Statistics.
No improvement for fourth-graders on national math test

The 2009 math scores reported by NAEP, a national assessment, represented the first time since 1990 that no gains were made.
Blacks' test scores lag, but New Jersey is a bright spot

The Garden State has narrowed gaps between white and black fourth-graders in both reading and math scores, according to a new analysis by the Education Department.
High-schoolers have made little progress since the 1970s, study says

Younger students have made some encouraging gains in math, but the lack of improvement among older students raises questions about recent education reforms.
U.S. student writing gets a bit better

Assessment test shows gains for eighth- and 12th graders overall. But race and gender gaps persist.