Report Card on American Education: A State-by-State Analysis, 1985-1986 to 2006-2007

On September 25, 2007, results were released for the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading and math tests. According to the press release, “Based on national averages, mathematics scores for fourth- and eighth-graders have continued to rise since 1990. In addition, the proportion of students performing at or above the Basic and Profi cient achievement levels has increased markedly over the last 17 years. Gains made since 2003 are statistically signifi cant, although not as large as those realized during some earlier periods.”

Taken at face value, this would seem to indicate that the state of our public schools is strong and that student achievement is making signifi cant gains. However, a deeper look at the NAEP data—along with SAT and ACT test results—paints a much gloomier picture for our nation’s children.