The study, conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, placed all state academic standards for proficiency in reading and math scores on a common scale to compare results across states and compare with/to proficiency standards set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Among other things, the report found that most states are below or only meet basic standards set by NAEP. As a result, the rigor of a child’s education can depend entirely on the state where they live.
“The quality of a child’s education should not be determined by their zip code. It is unacceptable that many states have chosen to lower the bar rather than strive for excellence. This means that many students aren’t even expected to rise to meet rigorous standards – they are allowed to linger in a system that doesn’t challenge them to do better and doesn’t help them develop the complex skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the jobs of the future,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “If we are serious about rebuilding our economy and restoring our competitiveness, then its time for states to adopt a common core of internationally-benchmarked standards that can prepare all children in this country to achieve and succeed in this global economy.”
To read the full report, Mapping State Proficiency Standards Onto National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Scales: 2005-2007, click here.
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