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State 8th Grade Math NAEP Scores Increase
OLYMPIA — October 14, 2009 - Washington eighth-grade students increased their average math scores on the 2009 National Assessment for Educational Progress (NAEP). The scores, which were announced today, showed that Washington was one of just 15 states to see eighth-grade scores increase on the national assessment.
The state’s average scale score in eighth-grade math increased from 285 in 2007 to 289 in 2009. The four-point increase and the state’s overall score compared to the nation’s (282) are considered statistically significant, meaning the increases are far greater than the margin of error. The nation’s eighth-grade math average score increased by two points from 2007 to 282.
The state’s average scale score in fourth-grade math fell by one point (not considered a statistically significant decrease) from 243 in 2007 to 242 in 2009. The nation remained at 239 as just eight states saw their scores increase in fourth-grade math. Still, Washington’s fourth-grade math score of 242 remained significantly higher than the nation.
Washington students were assessed on the NAEP early this year in fourth- and eighth-grade math. The test was given to 3,198 fourth graders in 164 elementary schools and 2,798 eighth graders in 128 middle schools. School level results are not released by NAEP because of the small sampling size.
“The NAEP math results show that our students continue to perform well on national tests, such as the SAT, ACT and AP exams,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn said. “The results, especially in fourth grade, also show we still have plenty of hard work to do in math. This state, along with the rest of the nation, is seeing flat testing scores, and our own state assessment results are showing that as well.”
Results from the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) and the NAEP were similar from 2007 to 2009. During that period, fourth-grade math scores on the WASL fell by 6 percentage points from 58 percent in 2007 to 52 percent in ’09. WASL scores increased by 1 percent during the same period in eighth-grade math.
This spring, Washington will assess its new K-8 math learning standards for the first time on the new grades 3-8 Measurements of Student Progress (MSP). In addition, about 25 percent of students will also take the grades 6-8 math test online. NAEP assesses students every two years. The next math NAEP exam will occur in early 2011.
The biggest average scale score gain of any Washington ethnic group in NAEP math testing was 13 points by Asian/Pacific Islander eighth-grade students. In addition, eighth-grade whites (295) and males (290) also saw significant increases in their scores from 2007. Those two groups were also significantly higher than the nation.
As Washington’s scores generally remained the same in fourth grade and increased in eighth grade, the state’s participation rate among Title I students with disabilities (SD) and English Language Learners (ELL) students rose significantly. In fourth grade, participation increased by 2.3 percent among SD students and 4.7 percent among ELL students. In eighth grade, those rates increased by 8.4 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.
Those rates increased in part because ELL students were able to take a Spanish version of the NAEP math test, and OSPI increased its efforts to educate schools about other available accommodations for ELL students and students with disabilities.
The NAEP assesses students on five math content areas: numbers and operations, measurements, geometry, algebra and data analysis and statistics. The scale score range on the national assessment is 0-500; the proficiency range is 249-281 for fourth grade and 299-332 for eighth grade. Proficiency is measured by NAEP as “competency over challenging subject matter,” while most states measure proficiency as grade-level work.
For more information about NAEP testing in the state of Washington, visit http://www.k12.wa.us/assessment/NAEP/overview.aspx.
For more information on NAEP testing, please visit their Web page on frequently asked questions.
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