Atlanta 11/13/03 - Today's release of the 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mathematics and Reading scores shows marked improvement in fourth- and eighth-grade mathematics, while reading scores remained nearly the same. Dramatic changes in reading scores were not expected this year due to the fact that the NAEP reading assessment had been given only one year earlier.

Although Georgia fell short of the national averages there are some bright spots that show the hard work of elementary educators is paying off. The NAEP, known as "the nation's report card," is given to students across the nation and is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas.

Here are some of the highlights:

• In 2003, the average mathematics scale score for fourth-grade students in Georgia was 230. This was higher than the average score in 2000 (219), and was higher than the average score in 1992 (216).
• The percentage of Georgia students performing at or above the NAEP Proficient level in fourth-grade mathematics was 27% in 2003. This percentage was greater than in the year 2000 (17 percent), and greater than the 1992 level (15 percent).
• In 2003, White fourth-grade students had an average math score that was higher than that of Black students (24 points). This performance gap was narrower than that of 1992 (32 points).
• In 2003, the average mathematics scale score for eighth-grade students in Georgia was 270. This was higher than the average score in 2000 (265), and was higher than the average score in 1990 (259).

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, all states must participate in the Biennial NAEP tests for fourth and eighth grade reading and math. Georgia State Law also requires the state's public schools to take part in all NAEP assessments in a variety of subject areas. 2003 is the baseline year for collecting NAEP data as it relates to NCLB. The test was administered during the six week period beginning with the last week of January and ending the first week of March.

Georgia Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox, impressed with the boost in fourth-grade math scores, said she was "proud of Georgia's elementary school teachers and administrators. These results show that the focus we have had on training and ongoing support for teachers is beginning to pay off. We've got to repeat this success in all subject areas - in all of Georgia's schools. We still have a lot of work ahead of us if we want to lead the nation in improving student achievement."

One exciting initiative that promises to help raise student achievement is the strengthening of the Georgia Quality Core Curriculum (QCC), which is well underway. The new standards-based QCC will use national and international standards and best practices in each content area as models. Our state's performance standards will provide clear expectations, with sample assignments and problems, for instruction, student work, and assessment. The resulting revised curriculum will be a usable document that will drive both instruction and assessment, providing guidelines for teachers, students, and test makers. The roll out of the new QCC is scheduled to begin in Fall 2004

2003 Georgia NAEP Achievement Levels*
(Shown as Percentages)

*The NAEP scales range from 0 to 500, with the achievement levels corresponding to the following points:

*The NAEP scales range from 0 to 500, with the achievement levels corresponding to the following points:

Fourth Grade Math: Below Basic, 213 or lower; Basic, 214-248; Proficient, 249-281; advanced, 282 or above.
Eighth Grade Math: Below Basic, 261 or lower; Basic, 262-298; Proficient, 299-332; Advanced, 333 or above.
Fourth Grade Reading: Below Basic, 207 or lower; Basic, 208-237; Proficient, 238-267; Advanced 268 or above.
Eighth Grade Reading: Below Basic, 242 or lower; Basic, 243-280; Proficient, 281-322; Advanced, 323 or above.

For more information on the NAEP, please visit https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/