Georgia holds ground, trails nation on tests - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Georgia holds ground, trails nation on tests

November 13, 2003

 (Atlanta-AP) -- A test that's considered the best state-to-state measure of classroom progress shows fourth- and eighth-grade students in Georgia lag slightly behind the national average on reading and math scores.

Georgia's ranking on the National Assessment of Educational Progress was clustered with a group of states and other jurisdictions near the bottom in all but four categories.

For example, Georgia's eighth-grade reading scores were higher than those in seven other jurisdictions, about the same as ten others and lower than 35. The scores were about the same as the last time Georgia students took the tests in all but one category -- fourth-grade math scores improved.

The state's ranking did not satisfy state education and political leaders, including Governor Perdue. A spokeswoman says the governor thinks children in Georgia "can do better than that."

The National Assessment of Educational Progress -- often referred to as "the nation's report card" -- is considered one of the most accurate ways to compare academic progress from state to state.

posted at 10:50AM by dave.miller@walb.com