2009 NAEP reading scores are out, showing Kentucky students reading above national average, by a statistically significant margin, in both fourth and eighth grade.
There's more. From 2007 to 2009, only three states showed significant fourth grade improvement, and only nine states showed significant eight grade improvement. One state, one and only one, improved at both levels: Kentucky!
And more. The Prichard Committee has urged Kentucky to move its educational system into the top 20 in the country by 2020. In reading, we've arrived. In fourth grade, we're tied for ninth, and in eighth grade, we're tied for sixteenth.
For all the educators, parents, students, and leaders who made this happen for Kentucky, this warrants a one minute pause to celebrate--followed (of course) by getting back to work on moving achievement even higher.
Wow!
This is great news and great timing! Toni Konz at the Courier-Journal did a great job of getting a comment from Arne Duncan too. Nice to know that we are a hotspot on his radar!
ReplyDeleteWe knew it could be done. THANKS to the many who have made it happen! And will keep all levels of learning moving in good times and times not so good.
ReplyDeleteLooks like some payoff for hard work!!!
ReplyDeleteKentucky is the first to adopt the Common Core, Race to the Top federal application and now KY NAEP scores are making the Commonwealth of Kentucky stand out. Our recent scores ought to give the federal folks another great indicator for KY to receive the RTTT funds.
And how exactly do we keep this progress up with massive cuts to the education budget? More students in each classroom? My room is already so full that it's difficult for me to have enough room for learning centers and use cooperative groups... more students and my room will be packed like sardines! I could go on and on but the mere thought of the future makes me tired... continuely pressuring our schools to do more with less and less. Unreal.
ReplyDeleteDo we know the demographic breakdown of the NAEP scores? How are minorities doing?
ReplyDeleteAnon, the improvement was spread pretty evenly over most groups, but weaker for African-American students. If you click on the main green bar at the top of the blog, you'll be able to my other posts on the breakdown of the scores.
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