North Carolina Math Scores Improve Slightly

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North Carolina Math Scores Improve Slightly

Special Report - September 27, 2007
North Carolina public school students in the fourth and eighth grades are performing at or slightly above the national average in reading and math, according to the latest results of the biennial National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Released by the National Center for Education Statistics, the report uses four categories—below basic, basic, proficient, and advanced—to rank the skills of students. Among students scoring at or above the basic level, Tar Heel fourth graders scored ninth among all the states in math (242 in North Carolina versus 239 nationally) and 30th in reading (218 versus 220). Similarly, eighth graders ranked 17th in math (284 versus 280) and 31st in reading (259 versus 261). The average reading score in North Carolina was not significantly different from the national average. Overall, North Carolina student scores were up slightly since the last assessment in 2005.