Reading, math scores on the rise

By Staff
A recent study of test scores from Alabama students show improvements in reading and math.
The study was conducted by the Center on Education Policy and involved grades four, eight and eleven. From 2002-2008, the report showed scores in reading and math either increased or stayed the same. There were no performance decreases.
In 2008, more than half, or 53 percent (increased from 50 percent in 2005), of Alabama’s fourth-graders reached the advanced level in reading, and 50 percent (increased from 44 percent in 2005) reached advanced in math. Between 2005 and 2008, the percentage of students performing at the advanced level in reading increased slightly at Grade 4. In math, the percentage of advanced level grew at a moderate-to-large rate in Grades 4 and 8 and increased slightly in grade 11.
Nationally, trends are strongest at the elementary and middle school levels, but achievement has improved at the high school grade level, also.
Many more states showed gains than declines among high school students for all achievement level-subject combinations. Overall, the percentage of high school students reaching or exceeding the three achievement levels has increased.