Pa. slightly better than U.S. average in math, reading

PITTSBURGH - Pennsylvania's fourth and eighth graders are doing slightly better than the national average in math and reading, according to a new report.

The scores haven't changed much over the last few years, and in some cases have declined slightly, according to the 2013 Nation's Report Card released Thursday. But they have risen significantly compared with the scores of 20 years ago.

The results come from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, which is given every two years to a sample of fourth and eighth graders.

The majority of the students still are not demonstrating solid academic performance in either subject. Just 44 percent of Pennsylvania fourth graders and 42 percent of eighth graders scored at or above the proficient level in math. In reading, 40 percent of fourth graders and 42 percent of eighth graders hit that mark.

All the scores show long-term improvement. For example, in 2003 just 36 percent of Pennsylvania fourth graders were at or above the proficient level in math.

Most students are also performing at or above the basic levels in the latest results.

In math, 85 percent of fourth graders and 78 percent of eighth graders were above the basic level, and in reading, 73 percent of fourth graders and 81 percent of eighth graders.

Tim Eller, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, wrote in an e-mail that the results "show that students, parents and teachers are committed to high-quality educational programs in schools across the state."