Atlanta 6/19/03 - Today's release of the 2002 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Reading scores for Georgia's 4th & 8th grade students details the significant gains that Georgia students have made upon scores from the previous test in 1998. NAEP, called "the nation's report card," is administered to students across the nation in grades 4, 8, and 12, and is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas.

Georgia's 4th grade students improved significantly upon the 1998 results, moving from an average scale score of 209 to 215. Additionally, the percentage of Georgia students performing at the Below Basic level in 2002 was 41 percent, lower than in 1998 (46%). The percentage of Georgia students performing at or above the Proficient level also increased, from 24% in 1998 to 28% in 2002.

"These scores indicate that our 4th Graders are continuing to make great strides in reading," said State School Superintendent Kathy Cox. "Obviously there is still significant room for improvement, but we're going to use these NAEP results to assess and address the educational needs of our students and our schools as we work to lead the nation in improving student achievement." Cox credited Georgia's focus on "scientifically-based reading programs" for the increase in the 4th grade scores, and said that the Early Intervention Program (EIP) for low performing students likely contributed to the gains, as well.

The average scale score for Georgia 4th graders was 215, near the national average of 217. Georgia's African-American 4th graders, however, outscored their peers nationally by 2 points (200 to 198). Scores among African American 4th graders also improved significantly from 1998 to 2002, with fewer performing at the Below Basic level than in the previous test. Hispanic and Asian students also had higher scale scores than their peers across the nation. “These scores show that we're working to eliminate the achievement gap in Georgia," said Cox. "We're doing a better job with those students who need more help. For too long, we’ve had a system that educates some of our children well. We need a system that educates all of Georgia's children well, and we're moving towards that goal."

Average scores for Georgia's 8th graders, however, remained essentially flat, increasing only from 257 to 258 from 1998 to 2002. As with Georgia's fourth grade scores, African-American eighth graders in Georgia scored higher on average (246) than African-American students across the nation (244). Cox expressed disappointment with the 8th grade results.