Reading and Math Trends

This study used growth curve modeling to investigate trends in reading and math proficiency in each state over a four- to six-year period for grades 3–8. It found that:

-       The school-level percentage of students who scored proficient in reading and math increased in Florida, Mississippi, and North Carolina; the percentage also increased for most racial/ethnic and economic subgroups.

-       Achievement gaps decreased for most racial/ethnic and economic subgroups across grades, subjects, and states.

-       Proficiency achievement gaps remained large across grades, subjects, and states despite significant decreases.

Herrera, S., Zhou, C., & Petscher, Y. (2017). Examining school-level reading and math proficiency trends and changes in achievement gaps for grades 3–8 in Florida, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Regional Educational Laboratory Southeast. https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/edlabs/projects/project.asp?projectID=465