National Math Scores Offer Mixed Results

The Nation's Report Card on mathematics has been delivered, and it doesn't show much change in student scores since 2007, but they have improved quite a bit over the past 19 years.

Fourth-graders scored the same as they did last year on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and eighth-graders improved their scores by an average of two points. Compared to 1990, both fourth- and eighth-graders scored more than 10 percent higher.

The assessment tested a nationally representative sample of more than 168,000 fourth-graders and 161,000 eighth-graders on number properties and operations; measurement, geometry, data analysis, statistics, probability and algebra. Since 1996, English Language Learners and some students with disabilities have been allowed to receive testing accomodations when they take the assessment.

Report Card breakdown

State by state

• Overall, students in 30 states and jurisdictions showed no change at either grade level from 2007.
• Scores increased in both grades in the District of Columbia, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
• Colorado, Kentucky and Maryland students increased their scores only in fourth grade.
• Eighth grade students in 10 states improved their marks: Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota, Utah and Washington.
• Four states lost math ground in fourth grade, including Delaware, Indiana, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Proficiency Levels

Fourth grade

• Below basic: In 1990, 50 percent of students did not have a basic understanding of mathematics, but that number dropped this year to 18 percent.
• Basic: Forty-three percent of students who were tested in 2009 partially mastered math concepts compared to 37 percent in 1990.
• Proficient: This year, 33 percent of students were proficient in math, a 21 percent increase from 1990.
• Advanced: Six percent of students know a lot about math, up from 1 percent 19 years ago.

Eighth grade

• Below basic: In 1990, 48 percent of students did not have a basic understanding of mathematics, but that number dropped to 27 percent this year.
• Basic: Thirty-nine percent of students who were tested in 2009 partially mastered math concepts compared to 37 percent in 1990.
• Proficient: This year, the percentage of students who tested proficient in math doubled to 26 percent from 1990.
• Advanced: Eight percent of students know a lot about math, up from 2 percent 19 years ago.