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Results highlight need to increase rigor

Roseville – According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), average writing scores for Minnesota eighth-graders increased from 148 in 1998 to 156 in 2007. The national average score is 154.

“These test scores show that we are making progress to improve our students’ writing skills,” Minnesota Education Commissioner Alice Seagren said. “Yet, if Minnesota is going to prepare its students to compete globally, we have to do better than average nationally.”

Known as the "nation's report card," the NAEP is a congressionally mandated project overseen by the National Center for Education Statistics to continuously monitor the knowledge, skills and performance of the nation's children and youth. Since 1969, NAEP has measured and reported on the knowledge and abilities of America's fourth-, eighth- and twelfth-grade students, providing data about students' performance in a variety of subject areas at national, regional and state levels.

Minnesota Results Summary

• Minnesota’s overall average score increased from 148 in 1998 to 156 in 2007
  
  
• Minnesota’s scores were higher than those in 18 jurisdictions; not significantly different than those in 17 jurisdictions; and lower than those in 10 jurisdictions
  
  
• English Language Learner (ELL) students in Minnesota had higher average scores than ELL students nationally
  
  
• Between 1998 and 2007, the percentage of Minnesota students scoring proficient and above the basic level increased
  
  
• Between 1998 and 2007, the achievement gap for black students was relatively unchanged
  
  
• In every racial and ethnic group, Minnesota’s average scores were lower than national average scores
  
  
• Minnesota females had higher average scores than females nationally

Commissioner Seagren highlighted the fact that the Department of Education will be taking additional steps to continue to increase rigor. Specifically, the department plans to use the next Language Arts Academic Standards revision, which is scheduled for next year, to increase academic rigor in writing.

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http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/About_MDE/News_Center/Press_Releases/034052

Additional Information

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) - Click on MN then scroll down and click on "Scale Scores" under "Graphics" to compare Minnesota to National scores; click on "Achievement Levels" to see gains.

Scale Scores for Writing, Minnesota vs. National Public

			Grade 8
1998	Minnesota		148
	National Public		148
2007	Minnesota		156
	National Public		154

1998 - 2007 Gains: Minnesota Grade 8 Writing

		below Basic Basic		Proficient Advanced
Grade 8  1998		17 58		24 1
2007		11 57		31 1

NOTE: Gains by ethnicity are not available because the NCES didn't start tracking scores by ethnicity until 2001. Also, percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.

2007 NAEP Grade 8 Writing: MN Achievement Gap

Use the NAEP Data Explorer to generate graphics by subgroup.

What does a score of 133 mean?
It's higher than basic (114) and lower than proficient (173).  For more information, see NAEP Achievement Levels, Grade 8 Writing at Saint Paul NEAT.