state reading and math tests

[George Sheridan <learn@jps.net>]

NEA's "Opening Bell" newsletter summarized recent reporting on a study by the
Center on Education Policy on student test scores since enactment of the
so-called No Child Left Behind Act. If these stories were reported on ARN, I
missed them.

Test scores have risen since NCLB, report shows.

        The Washington Post (6/25, A2, Glod) reported, "Students are performing
better on state reading and math tests since enactment of the landmark No Child
Left Behind law six years ago, according to an independent study released" on
June 24 by the Center on Education Policy. The report "also found that black and
low-income students have made gains on those exams, frequently narrowing
performance gaps with white and middle-income peers."

        "But the law's contributions are hard to measure because a number of
states already were taking steps to boost reading and math, the study's authors
say. And because every public school falls under the law, there is no group of
students to use for comparison," added USA Today (6/25, King). "What the law
clearly has done -- the change some identify as its most notable benefit -- is
give researchers and parents the data to track student progress. By requiring
testing in math and reading every year from third through eighth grade and once
in high school, the law provides a wealth of information about a school's
performance over time, broken down by such factors as race, income and
disability." According to Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education
Policy, NCLB does provide "a lot more accountability."

Education Week (6/24, Cavanagh) noted, "The state gains in reading and math were
not as strong when compared with states' performance on the National Assessment
of Educational Progress (NAEP), the federally administered test that judges
states on a common scale." Still, "Mr. Jennings said that, on the whole, the more
modest state NAEP scores did not undermine the gains reflected in individual
states' assessments. NAEP scores still 'confirm the general trend,' he said."

        The New York Times (6/24, Medina) also covered the report findings, as
they pertain to N.Y. schools.

George Sheridan