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Earlier today, the National Assessment Governing Board released the results from the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress—more commonly known as the Nation’s Report Card—and they proved to be pretty good for the District’s fourth and eighth-graders.
According to the report, D.C. students made a tremendous growth from 2011 to 2013, so much so, that D.C. outpaced every state except for Tennessee. The report found that fourth grade reading went up five points and fourth grade math went up seven points, while eighth grade reading went up six points and eighth grade math went up five points. Compare this to the one to two point growth nationally in these subjects, and you’ll see just how significant these numbers are.
D.C. Public School Chancellor Kaya Henderson said in a release that “D.C. is showing the nation that when you embrace higher expectations for teachers and for students, they rise to the challenge. This work is difficult and it takes time, but our breakthrough gains demonstrate that the reforms we have put in place are working, and our students are making great progress.”
But with the significant growth for D.C. students in fourth and eighth grade, this brings to light a different issue: The achievement gap between D.C.’s white students and black and Hispanic students. While the report shows that that gap has narrowed in some subjects and grade levels, it’s still one of the largest in the nation, according to The Post.
“The results today reinforce what other indicators have shown – our work every day in our schools is leading to greater student success,” Henderson said. “And while we are not yet where we ultimately need to be, I am proud of our growth and our progress, and am excited about what is yet to come.”
Check out the highlights of the Nation’s Report Card below:
