This year, eighth-grade reading scores in 31 states dropped two to seven points \u2014 which the federal government deemed significant \u2014 compared with their performances in 2017. Indiana, New Hampshire and Virginia had the largest declines. Fourth-grade reading scores dropped in 17 states, with New Jersey\u2019s six-point drop the largest. Only one state, Mississippi, improved, the data showed.<\/p>\n
James F. Lane, the superintendent of public instruction in Virginia, said that while grade-level proficiency was a goal, the school system \u201cmust also recognize that Virginia\u2019s schools are enrolling increasing numbers of students whose learning is impacted by poverty and trauma.\u201d He said the school system needed to recruit and retain high-quality teachers and equip them to meet the needs of a \u201cchanging student population.\u201d<\/p>\n
Average math scores fared considerably better, particularly among fourth graders. Nine states had significant increases in fourth-grade math, compared with 2017. Again, Mississippi led the pack. The eighth-grade score in three states improved, while those in six states declined.<\/p>\n
American students have made large gains in math and small gains in reading since 1990. But those improvements began to level out around 2009. There is no consensus on why that happened.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n The average American 8th-grade reading score on a national exam declined in more than half of the states https:\/\/t.co\/XQa5pQWfzE<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The New York Times (@nytimes) October 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n