U.S. test scores down, but Pa., N.J. above average

For the first time since testing began 25 years ago, the latest results for the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests show a drop in math scores. And the tests also contained more bad news for the nation's schoolchildren.

Although some results in Pennsylvania and New Jersey fell in 2015 compared with 2013, they were above national averages in what is known as "the nation's report card."

The national assessment is given to thousands of randomly selected fourth- and eighth-grade students, takes only about an hour to complete, and, unlike other standardized tests, involves no preparation. Scores are reported anonymously.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has acknowledged that the news "isn't great," but cautioned against reading too much into the results, which were released recently.

Pennsylvania and New Jersey outperformed the nation in the percentage of students scoring proficient in all four categories.

For example, in grade-four reading, the national average for proficiency was 35 percent, compared with 41 percent in Pennsylvania and 43 percent in New Jersey. In grade-four math, the national average was 39 percent, Pennsylvania's was 45 percent, and New Jersey's was 47 percent.

Among eighth graders in Pennsylvania:

Reading proficiency declined from 42 percent in 2013 to 39 percent in 2015.

Math proficiency fell from 42 percent to 36 percent.

Among fourth graders in Pennsylvania:

Reading proficiency rose from 40 percent in 2013 to 41 percent in 2015.

Math proficiency rose from 44 percent to 45 percent.

Among eighth graders in New Jersey:

Reading proficiency declined from 46 percent in 2013 to 41 percent in 2015.

Math proficiency declined from 49 percent to 46 percent.

Among fourth graders in New Jersey:

Reading proficiency rose from 42 percent in 2013 to 43 percent in 2015.

Math proficiency declined from 49 percent to 47 percent.

"The NAEP results released by the U.S. Department of Education show that the commonwealth's students have remained steady in academic achievement among their peers," Pedro Rivera, the Pennsylvania education secretary, said Thursday.

Nationally, reading proficiency levels were unchanged for fourth graders and lower for eighth graders. Math proficiency levels declined for fourth and eighth graders.

Those declines were surprising given steadily improving scores since 1990.

Rivera said that while standardized tests can provide useful information, the Wolf administration is looking for more holistic ways to assess student achievement and school performance.

kboccella@phillynews.com

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