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.