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APRIL 9, 2001

According to Department of Education data released on Friday, American Indian fourth-graders showed little improvement in test scores over the past several years as a larger percentage dropped below basic reading levels.

From 1992 to 2000, the percentage of American Indian fourth-graders who met basic reading requirements fell dramatically. In 1992, 53 percent had basic reading skills but by 2000, only 43 percent qualified.

The percentage of American Indian students who fell below basic reading levels increased a full 10 percentage points. In 1992, 47 percent were below basic level; in 2000, 57 percent fell below.

During the same period, White and African-American students saw small increases in test scores while Asian-American fourth-graders saw dramatic improvement. Hispanic achievement decreased, but only slightly.

The explanation for the test score phenomenon among Indian students can be explained in two ways, say education experts. As more Indian students participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the nation's report card, it is expected the achievement level will change.

According to Secretary of Education Rod Paige, the results also indicate something more dramatic. He said not enough is being done to address reading skills of lower-performing students as the gap between the nation's highest and lowest test scores keeps increasing.

"After decades of business-as-usual school reform, too many of our nation's children still cannot read," he said. "After spending $125 billion of Title I money over 25 years, we have virtually nothing to show for it. Fewer than a third of fourth-graders can read at grade level."

Paige also said the results were indicative of the need to push President Bush's education plan.

Gary Phillips, acting Commissioner at the National Center for Education Statistics, pointed out that the gap between racial and ethnic minorities has remained constant. Average reading scores for all students have also remained unchanged over the past eight years, he said.

Overall, 32 percent of American fourth-graders were proficient in reading last year. Among racial and ethnic minorities, Asian students ranked the highest at 46 percent proficiency, followed by White at 40 percent, American Indian at 17 percent, Hispanic at 16 percent, and African-American at 12 percent.

Only 8 percent of fourth-graders were considered "advanced." Asian students ranked highest at 17 percent, then White at 11 percent, Hispanic at 3 percent, and African-American at 2 percent. About 2 percent of American Indian students were advanced.

The NAEP tests were given to about 8,000 students last year. Test scores are divided into the basic, below basic, proficient, and advanced categories.

Basic is defined as having an understanding of the meaning of what one reads. Proficient is defined as being able to draw inferences from what one reads.

There were 174 American Indian fourth-graders who participated in 2000.

Get the Report:
The Nation's Report Card: Fourth-Grade Reading 2000 (US Dept of Education April 6, 2001)

Relevant Links:
More Test Data - http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/tables

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