September 25, 2007

IDAHO RELEASES NAEP SCORES

BOISE— Idaho’s fourth and eighth graders continue to show higher overall achievement than their U.S. counterparts in mathematics and reading, according to results released today from the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

"I am proud to see Idaho’s students continue to score above the national average in mathematics and reading," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna. "As we continue to raise the bar in education, our students continue to work hard to meet the new challenges."

Idaho’s reading scores for the fourth grade were higher in 2007 than in 2003, while reading scores in the eighth grade remained stable from 2003 to 2007.

Idaho’s mathematics scores for the fourth and eighth grades were both higher in 2007 than in 2003.

Here are some highlights of the 2007 NAEP assessment results:

• Idaho’s average reading score for fourth graders (223) was higher than that of the nation’s public schools (220). The average reading score for Idaho’s fourth graders was higher than those of 20 states, the same as 20 states, and lower than 9 states.
• Idaho’s average reading score for eighth graders (265) was higher than that of the nation’s public schools (261). The average reading score for Idaho’s eighth graders was higher than those of 21 states, the same as 19 states, and lower than 9 states.
• Idaho’s average mathematics score for fourth graders (241) was higher than that of the nation’s public schools (239). The average mathematics score for Idaho’s fourth graders was higher than those of 21 states, the same as 14 states, and lower than 14 states.
• Idaho’s average mathematics score for eighth graders (284) was higher than that of the nation’s public schools (280). The average mathematics score for Idaho’s eighth graders was higher than those of 19 states, the same as 18 states, and lower than 12 states.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the "Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do. Its major goals are to measure student achievement and to report change in performance over time. NAEP provides results for the nation and for the states, but does not provide results for Idaho school districts, schools, classrooms, or individual students.

The Idaho State Board of Education includes NAEP in its statewide testing program because it gives comparative state and national information about student achievement in reading, mathematics, science and writing. The U.S. Department of Education pays for and administers NAEP.

For more information about NAEP results for Idaho or to view sample questions from the 2007 NAEP exam, please visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov/naep/. Learn more about national results at www.nationsreportcard.gov.

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