12th grade math and reading scores published

NAEP has provided national scores for 12th graders in math and reading.
Highlights of the results include:

• The overall average reading score for 12th graders was 2 points higher than in 2005, but 4 points lower than in 1992.
• There were no significant changes from 1992 to 2009 in the reading score gaps between White and Black students or between White and Hispanic students.  In mathematics, the overall average score was 3 points higher in 2009 than in 2005.
• There was no significant change from 2005 in the mathematics score gaps between White and Black students or between White and Hispanic students.
• The percentage of 12th graders who expect to graduate from college increased from 58 percent in 2005 to 60 percent in 2009.
• In the 11 participating states, average reading scores in seven states were higher than the score for the nation, and scores for three states were lower; in mathematics, the average scores for six states were higher than the nation, and scores for three states were lower.

Scores should be viewed with qualifications since large numbers of ESL students and students with disabilities are excluded from reports. Also, states are not required to report 12th grade scores. And then there are all those students who don't make it to 12th grade or take the tests at all. I expect Dr. Loveless will have something to say about the scores at today's Brookings talk (Nov. 18) since he was interviewed by Education Week regarding the new report.