Dive Summary:
- A four-decade study released Thursday by the National Assessment of Educational Progress shows that U.S. students have made gains in reading and math, and that achievement gaps between white children and minority children are getting smaller.
- The study included over 50,000 students nationwide and showed significant improvements in reading and math among 9-year-olds and 13-year-olds, as well as a halving of dropout rates among 17-year-olds--and Hispanic high school students in particular.
- Still, many wonder if gains are being made fast enough as the U.S. measures as slightly above average at best in tests that make international comparisons.
From the article:
... “It’s kind of a bumpy road, but we’re continuing to move forward,” said Bob Bartman, former Missouri commissioner of education and now the superintendent of the Center School District in south Kansas City.
“Our public schools have continued to improve,” he said, “not necessarily to the satisfaction of the politicians, but if you pick a time in the past and compare, (today) more students are successful, including students who speak foreign languages and students with special needs.” ...
