Report reflects improvement in reading, math

A progress report for North Carolina released Monday has reinforced early education efforts while also highlighting concerns about graduation rates among education officials.

The report, assembled by the N.C. Progress Board, indicates that students improved on fourth-grade math and writing tests.

But the board's findings also point to high school graduation rates, where North Carolina ranked 37th nationally in 2002.

In 2003, the state had a dropout rate of 11 percent for students aged 16 to 19.

Vanessa Jeter, director of communications and information for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, said those numbers might not improve.

"In 2006, we will be releasing our first specific graduation rate," she said. "We anticipate those results will underline that concern."

The specific graduation rate will allow the state to track students from their entry into high school until their graduation, establishing a nationwide standard for calculating the rate.

J.B. Buxton, senior education adviser to Gov. Mike Easley, said the report shows progress, but also indicates a long way to go.

"What you'll see is the graduation rate moved from 41st to 37th," he said. "The governor's focus is to get into the top 10."

Testing data from younger students was more promising. In 2003, 41 percent of fourth-graders in the state scored proficient or higher on the National Assessment for Education Progress math and science test, up from 25 percent in 2000.

Those math and science scores earned North Carolina a fourth- place national ranking.

Thirty-three percent of fourth- grade students also scored at or above grade level in reading proficiency, leaving the state tied for a 16th-place national ranking.

"Numbers of fourth-graders in math and science have been an important byproduct of continued focus on public education," Buxton said.

Reducing class sizes has been a recurring theme for Easley, and Buxton said the effort is paying off.

"The governor fought very hard to reduce class size in early grades," he said. "What you're seeing with the student achievement numbers is how important those efforts are."

Gregory Cizek, a professor of educational measurement and evaluation at UNC, said that while the report mostly is encouraging, it also indicates room for improvement.

"North Carolina is a leader in setting and achieving educational goals," he said. "What I find most troubling is the number of students not graduating high school and attending college."

Still, Cizek said the report generally reinforces current education policies.

"The report underlines the positive effects of really strong testing and accountability systems in North Carolina," he said.

"Paired with the influence of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, North Carolina's educational reforms are pushing achievement generally upwards."

 

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.