Michigan Fourth
& Eighth Graders Above National Average in Reading
National test
also indicates achievement gap narrowing.
Michigan Department of Education
Press Release, June 19, 2003
Contact: T.J. Bucholz, Public
Information Officer, Education, (517) 241-4395 or Terry Stanton,
Public Information Officer, Treasury, (517) 335-2167
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LANSING – Michigan fourth and eighth graders achieved above the
national average in reading performance, according to recent
National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) data released
today.
More importantly, statewide results also show that
African-American and Hispanic student scores improved for the
first time in a decade.
“Our latest NAEP results clearly indicate that Michigan
continues to edge toward excellence,” said Governor Jennifer M.
Granholm. “We still have work to do in many areas – but the best
news is that all of our children are achieving and that we are
making progress toward narrowing the achievement gap.”
In 2002, the average scale score for fourth grade students in
Michigan was 219, higher than the average of students across the
nation (217). Michigan’s 2002 scale score among fourth graders
was also higher than that of 1998 (216).
For grade 8, the average scale score for students in Michigan
was 265, two points higher than the national average (263.)
While performance on the reading assessment among fourth grade
white students increased from 223 in 1998 to 226 in 2002,
African American student achievement levels jumped over the same
period from 187 to 195. Hispanic fourth grade student scores
also increased from 201 to 205. African American scores had been
stagnant since 1992.
“We continue to see improvement on these assessments for all of
our students – a testament to the excellent work of our public
school teachers,” said Michigan Superintendent of Public
Instruction Tom Watkins. “We will continue to use NAEP data to
help school districts deliver outstanding educational programs,
help teachers teach, and children learn.”
Michigan was one of 48 states and jurisdictions that
participated in The Nation’s Report Card: Reading 2002. The
results were released today in Washington, D.C. by the National
Center for Education Statistics.
The study randomly assessed some 250 Michigan school buildings
and approximately 5,000 students. Beginning with the 2003
Reading and Mathematics results, scheduled for release this
fall, participation in NAEP is a required element of the federal
No Child Left Behind Act.
“The NAEP testing, linked with the Michigan Educational
Assessment Program tests we administer every year, gives
Michigan a good basis by which to approach No Child Left Behind
requirements,” said Michigan Treasurer Jay B. Rising. “We
believe we are ahead of the curve when it comes to the
implementation and success of NCLB.”
Authorized by Congress and administered by the National Center
for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Department of
Education, NAEP regularly reports to the public on the
educational progress of American students.
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