National Test Shows Significant Progress for Tennessee Students

Nashville, TN – The Tennessee Department of Education today announced that the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) writing assessment shows the average score for Tennessee eighth grade students has increased significantly since 2002. At-risk students showed the greatest improvement, scoring above the national average.

“It’s important and encouraging to see Tennessee students show progress at the national level,” said Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. “As part of the Tennessee Diploma Project, we have been very focused on ensuring that our graduation and learning requirements prepare our students to succeed.”

The NAEP writing assessment was administered to nearly 140,000 eighth-graders nationally. Tennessee students’ average scale scores showed an increase of eight points in 2007, up from 148 in 2002 to 156. The national average only rose from a score of 152 to 154 in the same 5 year period. The results also show large improvement in subgroups during that time period. Black students’ scale scores increased 12 points, student with disabilities showed a 14 point increase and at-risk students showed a 15 point increase. The percent of students who performed “at or above basic” achievement levels rose from 82 percent in 2002 to 90 percent last year.

“The increased NAEP scores are evidence that are teachers are working harder than ever to ensure students across the state are learning critical writing skills – skills that will be essential to their performance as contributing members of the state’s workforce in years to come,” said Acting Education Commissioner Tim Webb.

The 2007 NAEP writing assessment was administered in more than 7,640 schools between January and March 2007. The writing tasks focused on three specific areas, including narrative, information and persuasive writing.

For more information, contact Rachel Woods at (615) 253-1960 or Rachel.Woods@state.tn.us.