FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Thursday, June 7, 2007

For more information, contact:

Jonathan Burman, Tom Dunn, Alan Ray @518-474-1201

Internet:   http://www.nysed.gov

STATE VS. NAEP COMPARISONS RELEASED TODAY

     The U.S. Department of Education today released a comparison of state and NAEP test results from 2005. The comparison uses a complex methodology to compute what is described as “NAEP score equivalents of states’ proficiency standards” in reading and math. The report is at: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pubs/studies/2007482.asp

              The comparison shows that New York ranks as follows:

• 9th among 32 states in grade 4 reading (The state test in grade 4 and 8 is actually a test of reading and writing.)
• 3rd among 34 states in grade 8 reading
• 29th  among 33 states in grade 4 math
• 13th among 36 states in grade 8 math.

       Since 2005, when the last NAEP tests were given, the Board of Regents has approved new, revised standards in math. Standards for English will be reviewed and revised next year.

       “The results in reading are positive for New York relative to other states, but math is mixed. The comparison reminds us of the need over time to keep raising standards and providing extra help to students, and the Regents are committed to doing this,” State Education Commissioner Richard Mills said. “New York raised standards and introduced new tests to measure those standards in 1999. Both students and schools receive their state test results every year. People have worked hard and improved achievement overall during the past several years. However, we are not satisfied. Since 2005, the Regents have raised standards in math. We will revise the English standards next year. Additional state aid to schools should help students achieve the higher standards.”

       Critics of the NAEP vs. state comparisons counter that NAEP uses a relatively small sample of students, and the results are not reported and therefore do not “count” for individual students or schools.

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