‘Basic’ Level Tough Going for Urban Pupils

Still, Progress Under Way in Some School Districts, Especially on Math NAEP

City school districts may be seeing some payoff from years of work to improve mathematics instruction, but similar initiatives to raise reading achievement have not led to significant gains, much like the trend seen throughout the nation, a special urban study of the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress released last week indicates.

While most of the 11 districts that participated in the Trial Urban District Assessment fell below the national average on tests for 4th and 8th graders, officials and policymakers pointed to some headway in tests scores and achievement levels as promising signs that school improvement measures are beginning to show returns.

“The results show that urban school districts can improve achievement when there is focus over time,” said Thomas W. Payzant, the superintendent of the 58,000-student Boston district. “When we are committed to the same goals, and then follow through,...