Missouri scores stay steady on Nation's Report Card

(From the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education)

Missouri assessment scores in reading and math remained steady in 2015. However, national averages fell slightly from 2013 levels according to data released Wednesday from the National Center for Education Statistics.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assesses fourth- and eighth-grade students across the country in math and reading every two years. Missouri’s 2015 scores were not statistically different than those in 2013. More than 2,000 Missouri students were tested.

Missouri’s rank improved even as its score held steady. Missouri went from 39th to 29th in fourth-grade math and from 26th to 17th in eighth-grade reading. The state held steady at 32nd in eighth-grade math and 26th in fourth-grade reading.

NAEP (often referred to as the “Nation’s Report Card”) is one measure the Department uses to assess progress toward Top 10 by 20, the state’s academic achievement initiative which aims for Missouri to be a top 10 state in education by 2020.

“NAEP results are an opportunity to assess where Missouri stands in math and reading achievement,” said Missouri Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven. “As a state, we still have work to do in order for ALL our children to be successful in high school and post secondary education.”

Here are Missouri’s results for the percent of students scoring at or above the proficient level:
                                                                     

Grade/Subject	Missouri	National Public Schools
Fourth-Grade Reading	37 percent at or above proficient	35 percent at or above proficient
Fourth-Grade Math	38 percent at or above proficient	39 percent at or above proficient
Eighth-Grade Reading	36 percent at or above proficient	32 percent at or above proficient
Eighth-Grade Math	32 percent at or above proficient	32 percent at or above proficient

Missouri was one of 12 states that did not see a statistically significant change in any of the four areas assessed. Overall, 33 states saw a statistically significant drop in at least one area, while 13 states saw a statistically significant increase in at least one subject area.

For more information and scores, visit the NAEP website.