NAEP results show South Dakota above national average
Results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress
were released Oct. 19, and South Dakota students
consistently achieved scores that were among the top 10
highest scores in the country.
“The NAEP offers a national picture of how our students
compare with students across the country,” said Gov. Mike
Rounds, “and, once again, South Dakota students outperformed
their peers. We were especially pleased to see improvement
in our Native American students’ scores.”
Commonly referred to as the “Nation’s Report Card,” the NAEP
tests a random sample of fourth- and eighth-grade students
in reading and mathematics. The test is given every two
years in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and
Department of Defense schools.
Math scores improve
In the area of math, South Dakota’s scores improved over
2003, the first time the NAEP was given in South Dakota.
With an average scaled score of 242, the state’s fourth-grade
students had the fifth highest math score in the nation, sharing
that honor with five other states. South Dakota’s score was up
from 237 in 2003. The scores of South Dakota’s Native American
students – the state’s largest minority group – also improved
from 217 in 2003 to 221 in 2005.
With an average scaled score of 287, the state’s eighth-grade
students had the third highest math score in the nation, a
distinction shared by two other states. The score was up from
285 in 2003. Nationally, the eighth-grade average was 278. The
math scores of the state’s Native American eighth-graders rose
from 255 in 2003 to 260 in 2005.
Reading scores stayed level
Reading scores for South Dakota students remained steady or
decreased slightly, which follows the national trend.
In grade four, South Dakota’s average reading scaled score was
222, the same score attained in 2003. This was the seventh
highest score nationally. The national average was 217, up from
216 in 2003. The average score for South Dakota’s Native
American students rose four points, from 197 in 2003 to 201 in
2005.
At an average scaled score of 269, South Dakota’s eighth-grade
students had the fourth highest reading score in the nation, a
place shared with three other states. The national average was
260 in 2005, down from 261 in 2003. South Dakota’s Native
American students also followed the trend, with scores dropping
one point from 246 in 2003 to 245 in 2005.
Score gaps continue
“When considering these results, it’s also important to look
at the gap between the scores of groups of students,” said Dr.
Rick Melmer, secretary of the South Dakota Department of
Education. “Certainly we’re pleased with the improved scores of
our Native American students, but we’ve got to continue to close
the gap between their scores and those of the general student
population.”
Another “gap” area that deserves attention is the difference
between the scores of students eligible for the free lunch
program and those not eligible for the program. Participation in
the free and reduced lunch program is an indicator of poverty.
In 2005, the gaps between these two groups in both subjects and
both grade levels range from 15 to 20 points.
“The link between poverty and achievement is not a new issue,”
Melmer said. “These students need and deserve the attention
necessary to bring them up to higher levels of achievement.”
For more information related to NAEP, visit
www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard.
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