Contact: Sara Robertson  202-822-7823

September 25, 2007

2007 NAEP Math and Reading Scores Show Little Progress in Closing Student Achievement Gaps

WASHINGTON--Results from the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress in mathematics and reading show that students’ scores have risen significantly in both areas, yet sizeable gaps in student achievement still exist between whites and minority groups. 

The most recent NAEP mathematics and reading assessments were administered between January and March 2007 to students in grades four and eight. Although the scores indicate a slight narrowing in achievement gaps between white and Black students in fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math since 2005, there were no substantial changes in either grade or subject between white and Hispanic students.  

“While we applaud the gains in reading and math and hope they will continue, we are deeply concerned about the lack of progress in closing achievement gaps,” said NEA President Reg Weaver. “The gaps between minority and white students are still too wide.  Every child deserves a quality public school education, and by making significant changes to No Child Left Behind and fully funding the law, we can work to close gaps in student achievement.” 
 
Weaver also expressed concern about narrowing the curriculum. “If most resources, time and energy are concentrated on math and reading, over time we would expect scores in those subjects to rise,” Weaver said. “The fact remains that all students need the arts, social studies, science and other subjects that make up a complete and rich education and prepare our children to succeed in the global economy.”

The National Education Association’s 3.2 million members are asking Congress to make fundamental changes to NCLB, including using more than test scores to measure student learning and school performance, reducing class sizes and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers in our schools. 

“Imagine the universal success that all students would experience if NCLB was fully funded and doing what it was intended to do—improve student performance. Let’s make these changes, close these gaps and give our nation’s youngsters what they need to succeed in all subjects,” said Weaver.

To view the NAEP reports, please go to NAEP’s Web site at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

For more information on achievement gaps, please go to http://www.achievementgaps.org. 

For more information on NEA’s initiatives on NCLB reauthorization, please go to http://www.nea.org/lac/esea/eseaposition.html .

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators
and students preparing to become teachers.