News Release

NAEP Scores Show Minimal
Changes in Reading and Math Scores

Achievement Gaps for Minorities Closing at Slower Rate than Before NCLB

WASHINGTON -- The release of 2003-05 data in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report indicates that the so-called "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) law has resulted in very little improvement, if any, of students' math and reading test scores. In fact, the National Education Association (NEA) noted results in some areas indicate that progress has slowed in the last two years.

The NAEP results show continued improvement in math in grades 4 and 8, a trend that was emerging before NCLB. The scores further demonstrate an increase in reading scores for fourth graders and a slight decrease in reading scores for eighth graders. Unfortunately, the achievement gaps for white and Black students in fourth and eighth grade math closed at a slower rate in the period between 2003-2005 than in previous years.

The rate at which the achievement gaps narrowed between white and Hispanic fourth graders in reading and math also slowed. In addition, the small decreases in the achievement gaps in reading are accompanied by flat scores for those students in the top groups, whites and those not eligible for free and reduced lunch. NEA is deeply committed to closing achievement gaps but not by holding the achievement of top students down.

"The results are a very troubling indication that not much has changed since the enactment of NCLB," said Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association. "The biggest and most alarming change is that the achievement gaps between white and some minority students appear to be closing at a slower rate than before NCLB. These children cannot be left behind, they deserve the best public schools have to offer. And, NEA is working to bring real solutions that will do just that," said Weaver.

Weaver said NEA and its 2.7 million members will continue to push for solutions to close the achievement gaps and raise student achievement nationwide, including smaller class sizes, safe and modern school buildings, up-to-date textbooks, computers, and other learning resources, as well as working to place a qualified, motivated teacher in every classroom and to secure active parental involvement both at home and in school.

"The NAEP data suggest that high stakes assessments implemented as part of NCLB are not leading to improved overall achievement across the country.  Imagine if the federal government education improvement efforts started focusing on what students really need to learn instead of just scores on multiple choice tests - we'd begin to see meaningful gains on NAEP," said Weaver.

NEA has consistently criticized Congress and the administration for failing to fix and fully fund the No Child Left Behind federal education law. NEA and more than 50 educational groups have proposed legislation to fix the NCLB law. NEA has also filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education  on behalf of school districts in Michigan, Texas and Vermont, over the lack of funding for the law.

"If our warnings to fix and fund the so-called No Child Left Behind law had been heeded, then we might be further along in closing the achievement gaps," Weaver said. "The fact that these test scores have gone up at all shows our nation's teachers and support professionals - especially those working with students at risk -- have managed to overcome severe challenges in their classrooms. I commend them for a job well done."

Oct. 19, 2005

For more information, contact:

Denise Cardinal , NEA Public Relations (202) 822-7239

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, college faculty, school administrators, education support professionals, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.