The National Report Card (NAEP), results are a wake-up call for the education community

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation's Report Card, is the closest thing to a national standardized proficiency test for grade school students in the US. 

NAEP is a federally funded program administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). It is a nationally representative assessment of what elementary and secondary students in the United States know and can do in various subject areas, including reading, mathematics, and science.

NAEP is not a mandatory test, and states and districts are not required to participate. However, many states and districts do participate in NAEP, and the results are used to inform educational policy and practice.

NAEP is administered to a nationally representative sample of students in grades 4, 8, and 12. The assessments are designed to measure students' proficiency in a range of academic skills, from basic to advanced. NAEP results are reported as percentages of students performing at or above three achievement levels: Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.

While NAEP is not a mandatory test, it is the most comprehensive and widely used standardized assessment of student achievement in the US. It provides a valuable snapshot of student performance across the country and can be used to identify areas where improvement is needed.

In addition to NAEP, many states and districts administer their own standardized proficiency tests. These tests are typically used to assess student progress towards state and district learning standards.

Overall, while there is no single national standardized proficiency test for grade school students in the US, NAEP is the closest thing to it. NAEP provides a valuable measure of student achievement across the country and can be used to inform educational policy and practice.

The following states do not participate in the National Report Card:

• Alaska

• American Samoa

• District of Columbia

• Guam

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• North Dakota

• South Dakota

• Texas

• Wyoming

These states have opted out of participating in NAEP, the test that is used to produce the National Report Card. 

The results of the National Report Card, also known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), for 2023 show that student achievement in reading and mathematics has declined since the previous assessment in 2019.

• Reading: The average score for 13-year-olds declined 4 points in reading compared to 2019. This is the first decline in reading scores in 10 years.

• Mathematics: The average score for 13-year-olds declined 9 points in mathematics compared to 2019. This is the largest decline in mathematics scores in 20 years.

The decline in scores is evident at all percentile levels, meaning that students of all abilities are struggling. The decline is also evident across all demographic groups, but it is most pronounced among Black and Hispanic students.

The reasons for the decline in student achievement are complex and multifaceted. However, some possible factors include the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted school for many students, and the lack of equity in the education system.

The National Report Card results are a wake-up call for the education community. 

We need to take urgent action to improve student achievement and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Here are some specific actions that can be taken to improve student achievement:

• Provide all students with access to high-quality instruction. This means ensuring that all teachers are well-qualified and have the resources they need to teach effectively.

• Reduce the achievement gap between different demographic groups. This requires targeted interventions to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Make sure that all students have access to rigorous coursework. This means challenging all students to learn at high levels, regardless of their background.

• Measure student progress and use data to inform instruction. This will help teachers to identify students who need additional support and to tailor instruction to meet the needs of all learners.

Improving student achievement is essential to the future of our country. By taking action now, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Sources:

www.af.kg/journal/reading-proficiency-levels-by-state-34fed1

www.everycrsreport.com/reports/R45223.html

Unlikely Buddha 2023