Idaho was one of 10 states where eighth grade reading scores improved significantly over the past two years, according to the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results.
In addition to overall reading scores increasing in the eighth grade, the percentage of Hispanic students in Idaho who scored at or above grade level for reading jumped significantly from 50 percent in 2009 to 67 percent in 2011. Student scores in mathematics remained similar from 2009 to 2011 as well. Idaho’s eighth graders continue to outpace the national average in mathematics.
“These results show Idaho students are doing well compared to their peers in other states. I celebrate this success and thank our talented teachers, dedicated parents, and hard-working students,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said. “Still, we know our students must do better each and every year if they are going to compete and be successful in this ever-changing world. In Idaho, the state has put the necessary reforms in place to ensure our students graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary education and careers.”
Through Students Come First, Idaho adopted higher standards in English language arts and mathematics, is paying for every high school junior to take the SAT college entrance exam, and now gives students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school.
NAEP is the only assessment that compares student achievement from state to state. It measures students in reading and mathematics in grades 4 and 8. Superintendent Luna serves on the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees NAEP. Here are Idaho’s NAEP 2011 results by grade level:
· In NAEP grade 4 reading, 69 percent of students scored at or above grade level. Idaho saw the same results in 2009 grade 4 reading. Idaho’s average score was higher than 14 states, lower than 15 states, and not significantly different from 20 states.
· In NAEP grade 8 reading, 81 percent of students scored at or above grade level, compared to 77 percent of students who were at or above grade level in 2009. Idaho’s average score was higher than 25 states, lower than 7 states, and not significantly different from 17 states.
· In NAEP grade 4 mathematics, 83 percent of students scored at or above grade level, compared to 85 percent in 2009. Idaho’s average score was higher than 16 states, lower than 21 states, and not significantly different from 12 states.
· In NAEP grade 8 mathematics, 77 percent of students scored at or above grade level, compared to 78 percent in 2009. Idaho’s average score was higher than 26 states, lower than 11 states, and not significantly different from 12 states.
In 2011, for the first time, there were enough students tested in Idaho’s public charter schools that NAEP could provide Idaho results for both charter and non-charter schools. NAEP does not sample virtual schools or online schools, so the NAEP 2011 results only show results from brick-and-mortar public charter schools.
In grade 4 reading, the public charter school average was 238, which was higher than the non-charter school average of 220. The charter school average for grade 8 reading was 289, which was higher than the non-charter school average of 268.
In grade 4 mathematics, the charter school average was 257, which was higher than the non-charter school average of 240. The charter school average for grade 8 mathematics was 311, which was not significantly different from the non-charter school average of 286.
Visit Idaho’s NAEP website for more results from the 2011 NAEP assessment: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/naep/