O'Connell comments on NAEP 2009 mathematics assessment

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell issued the following statement today regarding the release of fourth and eighth grade mathematic results from the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP scores for California have not changed significantly since 2007, the last time NAEP math results were released. Similarly, the average score for the nation remained unchanged for fourth graders and increased slightly for eighth graders. Average scores for both the state and nation remain at the NAEP "basic" achievement level, which denotes partial mastery of fundamental skills at each grade.

"The NAEP math results show no statistical change in student performance in math at our state level when compared to the results released two years ago," said O'Connell. "Yet, our state assessment system indicates that California students have made steady progress on California's rigorous standards over the same period of time, and we have seen a slight narrowing of the achievement gap. This dichotomy is confusing, which is one reason states have said it's time for core content standards common to all states and an assessment aligned to those standards. Having a set of common, rigorous standards that prepares all students to succeed in college and careers would raise the bar for many students, and make any national assessment much more meaningful as a gauge of student learning."

The NAEP assessments are not specifically aligned to California's content standards, but are based on an assessment framework developed under the direction of the National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for NAEP. Currently, each state has its own unique set of standards and curricula for kindergarten through the twelfth grade. California is one of 48 states that recently signed a compact to explore the development of rigorous common core standards to ensure that all students graduate with the 21st century skills needed to succeed in college and careers. President Obama and U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan have embraced this concept and have included the adoption of common core standards in the application criteria for Race to the Top funds.

The NAEP math results for California fourth graders indicates that white, African American, and Asian student subgroups score similarly to students in those subgroups at the national level. However, the Latino subgroup in the fourth grade scored lower than the national Latino subgroup. Eighth-grade results reveal that only white students in California are keeping pace with the nation, while African American, Latino, and Asian student subgroups score lower than those at the national level.

The results show similar sized achievement gaps at both the fourth- and eighth- grade levels when California and the national NAEP scores are compared. The NAEP math results also show no progress in closing the achievement gap between students who are white or Asian and their peers who are Latino or African American in California or nationwide.

"Clearly, we must better address the educational needs of African American and Latino students in California and across the nation," said O'Connell. "The evidence of a pervasive achievement gap was apparent on both the state and national assessments and starkly underscored the need to work ever more diligently to implement effective practices to close the gap. It's critical for the future of our state and our nation that we turn this trend around."

Also known as "The Nation's Report Card," NAEP is a national assessment that tests a representative sample of students in grades four, eight, and twelve in various subjects including math, science, reading, and writing. NAEP provides a common yardstick for measuring student achievement nationwide, allowing for state comparisons.  Math results for grade twelve will be reported in 2010.

Results are released for the nation, states, and certain large urban school districts. There are no student- or school-level results. The limited district results for the 2009 math assessment are expected to be released in November.

           Complete results for the 2009 NAEP mathematics assessment are available online at The Nation's Report Card: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.