2005 NAEP Results
Delaware Outpacing the Country in NAEP Gains
Dover, Del.–October 19, 2005 Earlier today, results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading assessments were released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The NAEP assessments, known as the “Nation’s Report Card,”were administered to all fourth and eighth grade public school students in Delaware from January through March of 2005.
In most states, only a sample of schools is selected to participate in the NAEP assessments.Since Delaware is such a small state and a certain sample size is needed for accurate results, all Delaware public fourth and eighth grade students were part of the samples.Students were tested in one of three subjects randomly assigned by NCES: math, reading or science.Science results will be released in May 2006.
In today’s release, the average of the scale score for Delaware students is 226 on the fourth grade 2005 reading assessment and Caucasian, African American, Hispanic and Low Income students all scored significantly higher than the nation (National public schools only).
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In grade 8 reading, Delaware also scored higher than the national public school average in all student groups.
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Like most of the country, Delaware’s 2005 reading scores in fourth and eighth grades remained relatively stable,with small gains in average scale scores that were not statistically significant.However, Delaware is the only state in the country to show a statistically significant difference in the movement in the percentage of students classified to the NAEP achievement levels of Basic and Above in eighth grade reading.In 2005, Delaware had 80 percent of their eighth grade students classified at or above Basic, compared to the national public average of 73% and Delaware’s 2003 average of 77%.
“We are very proud that between 1998 and 2005, Delaware has led the country in improvement in average scale scores in reading,”said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff. “At the fourth grade, we have seen a 19 point increase, while in the eighth grade we have realized a 12 point increase. This is quite significant and a tremendous accomplishment.”
In fourth grade and eighth grade mathematics, Delaware students exceeded the national public school average, but with smaller differences.Caucasian, African American, Hispanic and Low Income all scored above the national levels.
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For the NAEP testing period from 2003 to 2005, Delaware results are similar to those of the national public schools and many other states.In mathematics at fourth and eighth grade, Delaware had small but statistically significant gains in average scale score points in mathematics. Delaware also had a statistically significant increase in the number of students who performed at or above Basic in 2005 at both grades. At fourth grade, 84% of Delaware students performed at or above Basic, compared to the national public average of 80%.At eighth grade, 72% of Delaware students performed at or above Basic in 2005, compared to the national public school average of 69%.
In mathematics, Delaware is ranked in the top five for average scale score gains between the years 1996 to 2005 in NAEP. For fourth grade, Delaware is second in the country with a 25 point gain in average scale score points in mathematics. In eighth grade, Delaware is ranked fourth in the country for gains, with a 14 point gain in the nine year time period.National public schools had a fifteen point gain at fourth grade and a seven point gain in eighth grade math.
“In 2005, Delaware fourth grade students were ranked 5th in the country for average scale scores in reading,while Delaware’s eighth graders ranked 18th in the country,” added Secretary Woodruff.“In mathematics, Delaware fourth graders were ranked 23rd and eighth graders were ranked 26th.Although Delaware has seen gains on the NAEP assessments, both short and long term, there is still room for improvement.”
For additional information, please visit the NAEP website at:
www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading_math_2005
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Delaware's Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education
for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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