Increase in Math Scores for 4th and 8th Graders is Encouraging and Reflective of Good Teaching

Stagnation of Reading Scores is Not Encouraging

The Department of Education administers math and reading tests to 4^th and 8^th graders in order to measure how well schools are doing with these two critical skills.  In one area the results are very positive.

Elementary-school students notched the highest scores ever on national math exams this year, continuing a 20-year trend of improvement

The improvement, according to at least one educational expert reflects increased competence and effectiveness on the part of teachers.

David Driscoll, chairman of the board that oversees the test, . . . applauded the trend line in math.

He said the higher math scores are "undoubtedly" a sign of the success of math instruction in classrooms, because that is where children largely learn the subject.

The disappointing part of the testing was reading scores. 

Results from the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that eighth-graders' reading scores rose slightly from 2009 but fourth-grade scores didn't budge. Schoolchildren have shown minimal progress in reading since the current exam, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, was first given in 1992.

But this is not unexpected in an American society where reading skills are in part determined by activities outside the classroom and where there is an increasing number of children for whom English is not their native or first language.

Reading results, meanwhile, are influenced by how much children read outside of school and how well the subject is taught in other areas, such as history and science. "Reading instruction is a shared responsibility," he said.

Other experts suggested the substantial increase in the number of Hispanic children taking the exams plays a role in the differing trajectory of math and reading results. Hispanic children—some of whom struggle with English—made up 22% of the testing pool this year, compared with 6% in 1990. Some math questions are simple computation and don't require students to read English.

In Alabama reading test scores should increase in time, as the state is undertaking a comprehensive program to throw children of illegal aliens, some of whom may be illegal themselves, out of the public schools. 

Lest anyone get too excited over the improvement in math, there is this.

One-third of students posted scores high enough this year to be considered "proficient" or higher in reading. About 40% did so in math, the data showed.

So to put this the way it should be put, 66% of students are not proficient in reading and 60% are not proficient in math.

Exactly how cutting spending and firing teacher’s and teacher’s aides will improve the situation, as Republican want to do is not mentioned.  Throwing money at the problem will not necessarily make it better, removing money from the solution will definitely make it worse.