Subscribe to Receive the Daily Report

Thursday, October 29th, 2015

Math, reading scores slip for nation’s school kids

Author:     JENNIFER C. KERR
Source:     The Associated Press
Publication Date:     Oct 28, 12:17 PM EDT
 Link: Math, reading scores slip for nation’s school kids
Stephan:   When one wades through the cesspit of ideological arguments over education one irrefutable fact confronts us. Our kids are being failed by our school systems, and are ignorant and grossly inferior in performance to children from other developed nations. We are on the wrong track, and we cannot or will not muster the political courage to change course. The long term implications of this are a deteriorating standard of living, a decreasing ability to be competitive with better educated societies, and a failing political system.
Credit: micheleborba.com

Credit: micheleborba.com

WASHINGTON  — Results from national math and reading tests show slipping or stagnant scores for the nation’s schoolkids.

Math scores were down for fourth and eighth graders over the last two years. And reading grades were not much better: flat for fourth graders and lower for eighth graders, according to 2015 results released Wednesday for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exam.

The falling mathematics scores for fourth and eighth graders mark the first declines in math since 1990.

The results suggest students have a ways to go to demonstrate a solid grasp or mastery in reading and math.

Only about a third of the nation’s eighth-graders were at proficient or above in math and reading. Among fourth graders, the results were slightly better in reading and in math, about two in five scored proficient or above.

The report also found a continuing achievement gap between white and black students.

There were a few bright spots: the District of Columbia and Mississippi both saw substantial reading and math gains.

Education Secretary […]

Read the Full Article