---Delaware remains above the national average in both subjects/grades---

( Dover, DE.)  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 schools in Delaware from January through March of 2007.

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 schools were part of the NAEP sample.  However, since fourth grade NAEP only assessed reading and mathematics, not all fourth grade students participated in NAEP this year.  Eighth grade NAEP assessed three subject areas - reading, math or writing and all eighth grade students were selected for NAEP participation.  Students were tested in one of the NAEP subjects as randomly assigned by NCES.  Writing NAEP results for eighth grade will be released in the spring of 2008.

NAEP Mathematics

Delaware was one of fourteen states that had significant increases in both grades in math. In grade four math, Delaware had an average scale score of 242.  This two point gain from 2005 continues to surpass the national scale score of 239.  Today’s results also showed significant increases in average scale scores for Female, Black, Hispanic and low income subgroups.  Delaware also saw an increase in students that moved to the NAEP Basic and Above level, from 84% in 2005 to 87% in 2007. Delaware continued to have a significantly higher percentage of students At or above Basic levels than the national public average of 81%.

Delaware’s fourth grade also saw a significant increase in students in the At or above Proficient levels, from 36% in 2005 to 40% in 2007.  The percentage of students that are At or above Proficient in Delaware is statistically equal to the national public percentage of 39%.  There was a narrowing of gaps for long term NAEP (back to the 90’s) for Black/White students, Low Income/Non Low Income students, and students in the 25th to 75th percentiles.

In grade eight math, Delaware had an average scale score of 283, also a two point gain which

remains significantly higher than the national average of 280.  Sub groups of White and low income students also showed significant increases in average scale score.  The national public average scale score increased two points at grade four and one point at grade eight.

NAEP Reading

With one point decreases that were not statistically significant at both fourth and eighth grade, Delaware was one of 30 states which saw NAEP Reading scores remain stable from 2005 to 2007.  However, even with national increases this year in reading, Delaware remains above the national public average with an average scale score of 225 compared to 220.  In grade eight, Delaware continued to remain above the national figures with an average score of 265 compared to 261 nationally.  

In grade four, the Delaware percentage of students At or above Basic in 2007 remained the same as 2005 at 73%.  This percentage is significantly higher than the National Public percentage of 66% in 2007.  The Delaware percentage of students At or above Proficient in 2007 was also stable at 34%, the same as 2005. The Delaware percentage of students At or Above Proficient was statically equal to the national pubic percentage of 32%. 

For eighth grade, the Delaware percentage of students At or above Basic in 2007 was 77%, a reduction from the 2005 percentage of 80%.  However, the Delaware At or above Basic percentage remains significantly higher than the national public average of 73%.    The percentage of Delaware students At or above Proficient in 2007 was 31%, statistically equal to the 30% for Delaware in 2005.  The Delaware students At or above Proficient was equal to the 2007 national public figure of 29%.

Long Term Gains   

According to NAEP, Delaware continues to be a leader in long-term gains since the implementation of the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) first administered in 1998. Although a number of other states are statistically equal to Delaware’s performance, Delaware’s rank on the NAEP State Comparisons Tool for average scale score gains in NAEP are as follows:

• 4th Grade Math for 1996-2007 - Delaware is ranked first for All students with a 27 point gain, first for White students with a 25 point gain, first for African American students with a 35 point gain and first for Hispanic students with a 40 point gain.
• 8th Grade Math for 1996-2007 – Delaware is ranked fifth for All students with a 16 point gain, third for White students with a 19 point gain, and eighth for African American students with a 21 point gain.
• 4th Grade Reading for 1998-2007 - Delaware is ranked first for All students with an 18 point gain, second for White students with a 15 point gain, first for African-American students with a 24 point gain and first for Hispanic students with a 42 point gain.
• 8th Grade Reading for 1998-2007 – Delaware is ranked first for All Students with an 11 point gain, first for White students with an 11 point gain, first for African American students with a 16 point gain and first for Hispanic students with a 9 point gain. 

            “I am pleased by the results of this year’s NAEP assessments,” said Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff.  “The results of the 2007 NAEP assessment are encouraging.  We have either held our own on national comparisons or have shown growth.”  Added Secretary Woodruff, “We can be especially proud of our record in closing the gap among subgroups.”

According to NAEP:

• Delaware was one of only two jurisdictions that showed a significant narrowing of the White/Hispanic gap between 2003 and 2007 in fourth grade reading.
• The math scores for fourth and eighth grade African American students rose significantly.
• The math scores for fourth and eighth grade Hispanic students rose significantly.
• Fourth and eighth grade students with disabilities had a significant increase in math scores between 2003 and 2007.
• Math scores for low income fourth and eighth graders significantly increased.

           For additional information, please visit the National Center for Educational Statistics website at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard  or contact Patsy Kersteter, the NAEP State Coordinator, at pkersteter@doe.k12.de.us.

Delaware’s Department of Education is committed to promoting the highest quality education for every Delaware student by providing visionary leadership and superior service.