Pennsylvania Students Continue Academic Gains in Reading; Outperform Peers Nationwide

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania is a top contender among states making gains in reading on a new national report card, Education Secretary Gerald L. Zahorchak announced today.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the "Nation's Report Card," cited Pennsylvania as one of only nine states to make significant gains in 8th grade reading from 2007 to 2009.  Pennsylvania was above the national average in both 4th grade and 8th grade reading.

"Our students and our educators have reason to be proud of these continued academic gains," Zahorchak said. "These impressive results are confirmation that our targeted investments in education, and our commitment to proven instructional strategies in the classroom, are paying off."

The NAEP reading results, released this week, show Pennsylvania fourth-graders averaged a score of 224 on the reading assessment, compared to 220 nationally. Pennsylvania eighth-graders averaged a reading score of 271, compared to 262 nationally.

NAEP math scores for 2009, released last fall, were equally impressive, the secretary noted. Combined, the test results show Pennsylvania is one of only five states to see a significant increase in the percentage of 8th grade students performing at grade level in math and reading last year compared to 2003.

These recent results show a pattern of academic achievement and progress in Pennsylvania. Past NAEP results showed similar gains. In 2007 Pennsylvania made significant gains in 4th grade math, 4th grade reading and 8th grade math

Additionally, a study conducted by the Center for Education Policy identified Pennsylvania as the only state to see increases in student achievement in elementary, middle and high school from 2002 to 2008 using the state's assessment system, the Pennsylvania State System of Assessment (PSSA).

Despite the marked improvement in the commonwealth, Zahorchak said there is room for improvement.

"The results also tell us, however, that we still have work to do to ensure academic success for every student," Zahorchak said. "To meet that challenge, we must continue to increase state investments in our schools and deepen our commitment to excellence in the classroom."

In 2009, about 340,000 fourth- and eighth-grade students nationwide participated in the NAEP assessments in mathematics and reading, which were administered by the National Center for Education Statistics of the U.S. Department of Education. To view the report, please visit http://nationsreportcard.gov.

For more information on Pennsylvania's education initiatives and investments, visit www.education.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Leah Harris, 717-783-9802

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Education