State ‘achievement gap’ shrinks in math but changes little in reading, study finds

South Carolina’s “achievement gap” between white and African-American students mirrors the rest of the nation’s, according to a federal government report released today. Although mathematics and
reading test scores have improved for both ethnic groups, the gap between the two has decreased only in math.

The new U.S. Department of Education study examined scores between the early 1990s and 2007 on the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The federal No Child Left Behind Act requires states to participate in NAEP, which is the only assessment that allows apples-to-apples comparisons. State-by-state NAEP results are reported every two years.

Overall, South Carolina’s fourth- and eighth-graders score near national averages in math and slightly below national averages in reading. In 2007 NAEP results, South Carolina fourth-graders ranked No. 33 in the nation in math and No. 42 in reading. South Carolina eighth-graders ranked No. 28 in math and No. 41 in reading.

But the new federal study shows that significant scoring gaps persist between white and African-American students:
● Math, Grade 4: South Carolina’s 31-point achievement gap in 1992 (NAEP has a 500-point scoring system) had decreased to 26 points by 2007 (national gap, 26 points).
● Math, Grade 8: South Carolina’s 33-point gap in 1992 had decreased to 27 points by 2007 (national gap, 31 points).
● Reading, Grade 4: South Carolina’s 27-point gap in 1992 had decreased to 26 points by 2007 (national gap, 27 points).
● Reading, Grade 8: South Carolina’s 25-point gap in 1998 had increased to 26 points by 2007 (national gap, 26 points).

“South Carolina’s NAEP math scores have increased dramatically in recent years for both white and African-American students, and that’s good,” Rex said. “But when scores for both groups are improving, African-American students must improve at an even faster pace if we want to close the gap.”

Reading scores have not improved at the same rate as math scores, and Rex said a new statewide literacy initiative will be aimed at changing that.

“Reading and writing are the fundamental tools for learning any subject,” Rex said. “How can you learn U.S. History if you can’t read? So one thing we need to do is move away from the idea that
reading and writing should be a central focus only in English Language Arts classes. For many schools, that will be a major paradigm shift.”

The State Superintendent said that in recent years, South Carolina has emphasized reading and writing instruction in early childhood grades (K-3).

“But there’s a danger in assuming that fourth-graders have command of those skills, because if you do that, then reading and writing instruction can get a lower priority in grades 4-12. We need to do a better job of helping students who continue to struggle past their early childhood years.”

Deputy State Superintendent of Education Valerie Harrison said a key goal of the new literacy initiative would be making reading the responsibility of all teachers in all subject areas. To help do that, the Education Department will incorporate that goal into its regional professional development programs.

“If you’re a visual and performing arts teacher, we’ll show you how to incorporate reading and writing instruction into your class work,” Harrison said. “If you’re a financial literacy teacher, we’ll do the same thing. One example might be to have students ‘notebook’ their class work – to write about what they’re learning on a daily basis.”

Harrison also said the Education Department would convene a statewide literacy panel comprising educators, parents, business leaders and representatives of professional organizations. She said that panel would recommend policy changes and practical strategies aimed at improving reading and writing instruction, in addition to giving regular feedback to the state agency as the initiative moves forward.

African-American students’ 2007 NAEP scores

In math, South Carolina African-American fourth-graders’ average NAEP score was 221, just below the national average of 222. Eighth-graders average 265, significantly above the national average of 259.

In reading, South Carolina African-American fourth-graders’ average NAEP score was 199, below the national average of 203. African-American eighth-graders’ average reading score of 242 was just below the national average of 244.

The U.S. Department of Education said its next achievement gap report would focus on Hispanic students.