The latest results from the National Assessment for Educational Progress, released Wednesday, show Kentucky’s students performing above national averages in fourth and eighth grade reading and in line with national averages in fourth grade mathematics, with eighth grade mathematics slightly below national performance.
The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, Kentucky’s distinguished education advocacy group, has analyzed the results and reports that the fourth grade reading results show statistically significant improvement in Kentucky’s scores for students overall, for students with disabilities, and for students eligible for free or reduced price meals.
African American and Hispanic fourth graders also have improved scores, though the changes were not statistically significant, the group reported.
Kentucky now ranks 8th across the states in fourth grade reading, up from 17th in 2013 and 26th in 2007.
The Prichard Committee observes that the results confirm that Kentucky’s students are doing work in line with national performance, “but are still facing the urgent challenge of moving to the higher levels they will need for full participation in postsecondary education, our economy and our communities.”
The group expressed “pride in seeing key groups of students doing better than similar students nationwide” in:
· Fourth grade reading for students with disabilities, students eligible for free or reduced price lunch, African American students, and Hispanic students
· Fourth grade mathematics for students with disabilities and students eligible for free or reduced price meals
· Eighth grade reading results for students eligible for free or reduced price meals;
but cited “important problems that need attention”:
· A decline in eighth grade mathematics results for all students must be reversed
· A lack of significant progress in fourth grade mathematics and eighth grade reading does not match our commitment to substantial improvement in our statewide performance
· Students with disabilities, low-income students, and students of color are still not receiving the full benefits of an equal education, creating gaps that persist over time and risks lasting damage to Kentucky’s prosperity.
THe committee issued the following statement:
“The Kentucky Board of Education has already added important new efforts to reduce novice performance in all groups of students that are furthest from meeting state standards, signaling that it is time for deeper, more sustained work to end these gaps. To support renewed and expanding work on increasing achievement and closing gaps, a Prichard Committee study group is working through the fall to analyze data, scholarship, policy and first-hand accounts of current work in our schools, aiming to share analysis and recommendations at the beginning of 2016.
“For Kentucky to flourish, we need for students of every background to reach their potential and join in building a strong, shared future. In fourth grade reading, this year shows progress worth celebrating, shared by students of many backgrounds. We need matching progress in all subjects, with special attention reversing the eighth grade mathematics decline. Our goal must be for all Kentucky students to graduate from high school truly ready for adult success, making important progress toward that goal in each year of school.”