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| Wilson Welcomes Report Card Progress, Says Schools Must Remain a Top Priority |
July 18, 2005 |
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| Congresswoman Highlights “Nation’s Report Card”
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson welcomed news that math and reading skills have improved this year.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released data that shows math and reading scores among America’s nine-year-olds, particularly Hispanic and African-American nine-year-olds, are up. Reading scores are at an all-time high since the report began in the early 1970s. Thirteen-year-olds also showed significant gains in math. Students showed significant overall reading progress over the last five years, according to the educational data released this morning by the U.S. Department of Education.
“This snapshot of our nation’s schoolchildren gives good reason for optimism and reminds us there is work to do,” Wilson said. “We need a great public school in every neighborhood.”
The report also highlighted areas where work is still needed, such as reading scores among 17-year-olds, which have not substantially improved.
“Four years ago, with broad bipartisan support, we passed the No Child Left Behind Act. It increases federal funds, gave schools a lot more flexibility to use those funds and monitored results based on standards set by the states,” Wilson said. “That strategy – funding flexibility and results – is working.”
Throughout her time in Congress, Wilson has made work on public education a priority, and regularly visits classrooms throughout her district to visit with students, teachers, administrators, and parents. Wilson also runs a high school internship program in her Albuquerque office where more than 150 students have learned basic job skills in an office setting since 1998.
Wilson has supported increased funding for education and has introduced legislation for tax credits and loan forgiveness for teachers who teach in low income neighborhoods.
Background: The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also described as the Nation’s Report Card, is a product of the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), a bipartisan group of governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators, business representatives, and members of the general public.
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