Guest Author - Trina Miller
Delivered directly into my hands this morning was very disturbing news regarding American students and reading. The Department of Education publication, ‘The condition of education in 2008’ reveals the results of testing in math, reading, writing, and science literacy.
Fourth, eighth, and twelfth graders were tested. The results? American students are mediocre. Nothing more. Our children are doing well enough to just get by. Barely. Tests are categorized as such:
-Advanced
-Proficient
-Basic
-Below basic
The good news first. Fourth and eighth graders scored higher in reading in 2007 than in 1992. The bad news is that scores increased only three and four points in fifteen years on the BASIC level. What is worse than that? There was no difference, no increase at the proficient level. In other words, we just passed basic levels, and barely that with four points since 1992.
What about our graduating seniors then? Reading scores were higher in 1992 than they were in 2005 at the basic level. Seniors decreased by 6 points.
While fourth and eighth graders met basic requirements, seniors went another direction altogether.
Where do we stand in math?
From 1990 to 2007, fourth graders increased at all levels by 27 points. Our eighth graders also increased at all levels, by 19 points. (Respectively)
Education was able to save face. But is that good enough? Are we okay achieving at a rate of 1.6 points yearly?
While no differences were reported at the proficient or above level, writing scores did increase. Eighth and twelfth grade scores, on the BASIC level, were higher in 2007 than in 1998 or 2002.
We have a basic trend going here.
What about the international level? Science literacy is tested on 15 year olds in 57 countries. Think about the level of technology the United States possess. After all, we put a man on the moon. We have an exceptional science program. How much better can you get than NASA? Americans were always at the top of our game in science.
Not any more!
U.S students scored lower than the OECD average. (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
Out of 57 countries, we rank lower than 27 of these.
Finland, Hong Kong, and Canada were among the top three.
How many parents realize that our children are stuck in a system where ‘getting by’ is acceptable. Being all you can be now means that a ‘C’ is success. As long as you do not fail, you’re a success. As long as you make at least the minimum requirement you’re a success.
Do we now live in a country where mediocrity is the majority? Are we okay with barely being average?
I most certainly am not. I am angry. I am embarrassed by our educational standards.
Americans have become lazy. We do little more than what is necessary to survive. We have become a people of great arrogance and pride. In what have we put our pride in? I am not proud that our children were smarter in 1992 than in 2007. We are not supposed to go backwards. We should improve, constantly moving forward.
What is going on in America?
What is going on in America? We are doing our children a terrible injustice. They deserve better. We owe it to them.
We must open our mouths and use the free speech afforded us to make changes. Get involved. Do something.
For more information visit www.ed.gov.
Request information. You have the right to know. You have the responsibility to become involved. For the sake of our children, get involved.
Stats provided by the Department of Education.
The condition of education 2008 in Brief
