A new analysis of state test scores finds that while states made gains in mathematics and English/language arts between 2002 and 2009, such gains were less common at the high school level than they were in the 4th and 8th grades.
The study, released last week by the Center on Education Policy, based in Washington, shows that 32 states reported gains between 2002 and 2009 for 4th graders and 8th graders on reading or English/language arts tests, but only 25 reported likewise at the high school level. In math, 36 states reported gains for 4th and 8th graders, compared with 27 for high school students.
One-third of the states analyzed saw declines in the numbers of high school students scoring at “advanced” levels over the same period.
The findings are for 40 states and the District of Columbia all those with at least three years of test data.
