Yesterday, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released state level reading scores for the 2009 school year. The NAEP scores are often recognized as the “nation’s report card” as it is the only standardized measure that allows for comparison between student test performance nationwide.

The 2009 NAEP reading scores not only serve as a national benchmark for how Washington state students are performing but also is a forecast of student mastery in other subjects. Research indicates that reading and literacy comprehension is a critical link to student achievement in other curriculum areas--specifically, math and science.

Washington’s reading scores indicate the state students are neither leading nor trailing in their reading comprehension skills. However, the question must be asked: Are we really content with our students scoring “just average”?

Washington students are demonstrating minor gains and even small losses in reading. Clearly, the data indicates that reforms that increase the rigor in the classroom and ensure that the best teachers and principals are educating our students are needed in Washington. Specifically, we encourage the state to enact the following provisions that are designed to raise student achievement:

•    Adopt the internationally benchmarked Common Core standards and aligned assessments.

•    Include student growth data as a significant factor of teacher and principal evaluation models.

•    Use evaluation data to serve as the primary factor in all staffing, tenure, retention and compensation decisions.

•    Commit to using student growth data for all students in tested and untested subjects and grades.

Washington’s NAEP 2009 reading scores are a clear call to action for state education reform. The state must not be content with its mediocre scores, but instead strive for our students lead the nation and the world in reading, math and science comprehension.

Click on the images below to view summaries of Washington's NAEP performance.

4th Grade Reading                                                         8th Grade Reading

View national and state scores at www.nationsreportcard.gov.