Missouri’s Scores Hold Steady in Nation’s Report Card

04/10/18

Missouri’s scores in national math and reading assessments remained steady in 2017, while landing at or above the national averages in all four testing categories among students in the state scoring either basic, proficient, or advanced.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) assesses fourth- and eighth-grade students across the country in math and reading every two years. Missouri’s 2017 scores were not statistically different than those in 2015, as nearly 2,300 Missouri students were tested in each subject/grade.

“Most states across the country, including Missouri, saw their scores hold steady in the years since 2015,” Interim Commissioner of Education Dr. Roger Dorson said. “We know that there is still work to do, and we remain committed to ensuring that all of our students are prepared for success upon graduation.”

While both Missouri and NAEP score students on a below basic/basic/proficient/advanced scale, it should be noted that the NAEP proficient achievement level does not necessarily represent grade-level proficiency as determined by the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP). Missouri designs its own assessments and sets its own standards for fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math proficiency.

Here are Missouri’s results for the percent of students scoring at or above the basic level:

Grade/Subject

Missouri

National Public Schools

4th-Grade Math

79 percent at or above basic

79 percent at or above basic

8th-Grade Math

71 percent at or above basic

70 percent at or above basic

4th-Grade Reading

69 percent at or above basic

67 percent at or above basic

8th-Grade Reading

77 percent at or above basic

76 percent at or above basic

 

In addition, here are Missouri’s comparisons of average 2017 scores to the other 49 states and the District of Columbia:

Grade/Subject

In 2017, the average score in Missouri was

 

Lower than those in…

Higher than those in…

Not significantly different than those in…

4th-Grade Math

11 states/jurisdictions

16 states/jurisdictions

23 states/jurisdictions

8th-Grade Math

23 states/jurisdictions

14 states/jurisdictions

13 states/jurisdictions

4th-Grade Reading

9 states/jurisdictions

18 states/jurisdictions

23 states/jurisdictions

8th-Grade Reading

10 states/jurisdictions

14 states/jurisdictions

26 states/jurisdictions

For more information and scores, visit the NAEP website.