Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/610158
26 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2015/16 Education News 26 ADVOCATE | WINTER 2015/16 O n October 28, 2015, the National Center for Education Statistics released fourth and eighth grade math and reading results from the 2015 administration of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAEP assessment, or Nation's Report Card, is a common yardstick that tests what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. NAEP scores for Arizona students did not change significantly in any of the subject/grade level combinations tested, while national scores dipped in both fourth and eighth grade math and in eighth grade reading. "It is a testament to the hard work of Arizona teachers and students that NAEP scores have remained stable given the many significant changes to our state's education system in recent years," said Diane Douglas, Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Our schools should absolutely be commended for the steadiness seen in these results. "However, we cannot ignore the fact that nationally NAEP scores showed significant declines for the first time since the test began in the early 1990s. As a state, we must ask ourselves if this downward trend is related to the disruption caused by the one-size-fits-all education 'improvements' many states across the country have adopted. Are changes like national standards and common assessments really the answer, or are they part of the problem?" Arizona is now statistically similar to the national average in both grade 8 reading and math, which was not the case in 2013. Arizona students also maintained the progress seen in the 2013 fourth-grade math results and have made slight (though not statistically significant) gains in both grade 4 reading and math and grade 8 reading. Arizona Compared to Other States In 2015, fourth-grade math students in Arizona scored higher than seven other states or jurisdictions, lower than 25 and were not statistically different than 19. Arizona's eighth-grade math scores were higher than 16 other states or jurisdictions, lower than 13 and statistically the same as 22. Arizona's reading scores for 2015 in fourth grade were higher than one state/ jurisdiction, lower than 36 and not significantly different than 14. Eighth grade showed Arizona higher than nine states/jurisdictions, lower than 28 and not significantly different than 14. For more statistics on Arizona proficiency rates, see p. 40. Arizona Students' NAEP Scores Remain Stable as Nation Sees Historic Declines