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4th Grade Math Scores Add Up

20% more students proficient in math than in 1990

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 26, 2007 11:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – American elementary school students have improved their math skills considerably, with 20% more fourth graders scoring "proficient" on standardized math tests than in 1990, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Reading skills show more modest gains. The number of students scoring proficient in reading has increased only 4% since 1992.

Eighth graders also showed modest improvements in math and reading. The results are promising, but some critics worry that schools' specialized focus on math and reading to raise test scores could backfire. They fear students may miss out on years of preparation for more complex topics like science and history.

Education Secretary Margaret Spellings says most scores are at "historic" highs, adding "To those who would suggest that No Child Left Behind is not working, our nation's fourth- and eighth-graders and... (Shutterstock.com)

Lincoln Grade School, Miles City ((c) dave_mcmt)

Destinee Brown, 14, and eighth grade student, works on her computer during math class at the Long Branch Middle School (Colin Archer/AP Photo) (Associated Press)

(Index Stock)

(Shutterstock.com)

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4th Grade Math Scores Add Up

20% more students proficient in math than in 1990

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20% more students proficient in math than in 1990

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

elementary school • No Child Left Behind • mathematics • George W. Bush

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

How Much Did Obama Really Add to Deficit?

Ezra Klein crunches the numbers and comes up with a lower total than you think

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Michael Hayden says it would have backfired then, and would now, too

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GOP has moved to the right since 2000, and Romney has, too: Ezra Klein

Laura Bush: We Wanted Jeb to Run

Plus: Advice on post-presidential life

California Parents Prepare to Fire School

Group plans to use state's Parent Trigger law

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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More News

What is Newser?