Results from the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) exams, released today and shared by the Kansas State Board of Education, show that Kansas students continue to outperform the national average in the areas of mathematics and reading.
Results of NAEP exams are measured in two ways: 1) with an average scale score (0-500), and 2) with achievement levels: Basic, Proficient and Advanced.
Mathematics
Nationally, fourth-grade student mathematic scores increased slightly from an average score of 240 in 2011 to 241 in 2013. In Kansas, fourth-grade mathematic scores remained unchanged at 246, still well ahead of the national average. The percent of Kansas fourth-grade students performing at or above the NAEP Proficient level also remained unchanged at 48 percent. However, the percentage of Kansas students preforming at NAEP’s Advanced level increased from seven percent in 2011 to eight percent in 2013. The average fourth-grade math score in Kansas is lower than just three states (compared to four states in 2011), higher than 32 states and not significantly different from 16 states.
Eighth-grade national mathematic scores increased from 283 in 2011 to 284 in 2013, while Kansas’ eighth-grade scores remained unchanged at 290, again tracking well ahead of the national average. The percentage of Kansas students performing at or above the NAEP Proficient level increased from 40 percent in 2011 to 41 percent in 2013. Students performing at the Advanced level increased from eight percent in 2011 to 10 percent in 2013, representing the highest percentage of Kansas students to reach this level. Nationally, the average score in Kansas is lower than those in five states, higher than those in 31 states and not significantly different from those in 15 states.
Reading
Kansas’ fourth-grade reading results, while still ahead of the national average, declined slightly from 2011. Kansas students averaged a score of 223, which is down from 224 in 2011, while the national fourth-grade score increased from 220 in 2011 to 221 in 2013. The percentage of Kansas students at or above the Proficient level (38 percent) represented a two percent increase over 2011 and a four percent increase over the national average. Nationally, Kansas’ fourth-grade reading scores were lower than those in nine states, higher than those in 20 states and not significantly different from those in 22 states.
While the national average score for eighth-grading reading increased by two percent this year, Kansas’ eighth-grade reading scores (267) have remained unchanged since 2003 and are tracking only slightly ahead of the national average score of 266. The percentage of Kansas eighth-graders scoring at the Proficient level remained unchanged from 36 percent in 2011 – one percent higher than the national average. Nationally, Kansas eight-grade reading scores were lower than those in 15 states, higher than those in 15 states and not significantly different from those in 21 states.
The Nation’s Report Card: 2013 Mathematics and Reading is available online at http://nationsreportcard.gov/reading_math_2013.