Fourth- and eighth-graders in Hawai`i schools are continuing to show improvement in mathematics and reading, and for the first time the state’s fourth-graders have scored above the national average in math.
Hawai`i education officials said the findings were included in “The Nation’s Report Card” released today by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
“The growth of our state reflected in the 2013 NAEP results is another indication that we are on track to meet the higher standards we have set in our schools,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.
State Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Matayoshi. Courtesy photo.
Hawai`i officials said fourth- and eighth-graders are steadily narrowing the gap with peers across the nation.
They said in 2011, Hawai`i was the only state that showed significant statistical improvement in both reading and mathematics. This year, its student made “significant gains” in grades 4 and 8 mathematics and grade 8 reading.
Over the past decade, NAEP analysis has showed that nationally, Hawai`i fourth- and eighth-graders have had the second-highest improvement in mathematics, and its eighth-graders have had the fifth-highest gains.
Math scores for the state’s fourth-graders increased to 243 from 239 between 2011 and 2013, while the national average increased to 241 from 240 over that period. Over the past decade, Hawai`i’s fourth-grade math scores have increased 16 points compared to the 7-point national average increase.
Also, 83% of Hawai’i’s fourth-graders were at or above what is considered “Basic” level in math, one percentage point above the national average. The percentage considered at or above the Proficient (46%) and Advanced (8.8%) levels were also above the national averages, DOE officials said.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie said US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan this morning called to offer congratulations for the state’s continued growth in math and reading scores.
“Secretary Duncan emphasized that Hawaii’s results are very encouraging, continue to improve in nearly every area, and have built on growth from previous years by investing in raising standards and focusing on schools that need the most support,” Abercrombie said.
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