Scores on Urban NAEP Inch Up

Students in large urban districts made progress in reading and mathematics on a nationwide test, with their strongest gains coming in math and from low-performing youths, in keeping with recent trends.

While scores among students in large cities still lag well behind national averages, achievement rose in 4th and 8th grade math by statistically relevant margins over the past two years and among 4th graders in reading. Eighth grade scores in reading remained flat.

The scores were released today as part of the Trial Urban District Assessment , a specially collected set of test results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as “the nation’s report card.” Test scores for cities were reported for two previous...