Students In US Public Schools Struggle With Geography

Sunshine State News is reporting that fewer than one-third of US students score at proficient level on NAEP test, with older students scoring lowest of all

It is being reported by SunshineStateNews.com that U.S. students’ grasp of geography has improved among 4th graders, but flat-lined or fell with 8th and 12th-graders.  This according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress which was released earlier this week.  Overall, fewer than one-third of students scored at or above proficiency level in the subject.  This rate that mirrored previous dismal showings on civics and history exams.

Comparing test scores from 1994 to 2010, NAEP found that average fourth-grade scores climbed from 206 to 213 (on a 500-point scale). The Washington, D.C.-based educational service credited the modest gain almost entirely to improved scores by minority students.

“There were no corresponding increases among higher-performing students and no significant change in the percentage of students performing at or above the ‘proficient’ level,” NAEP stated in its “Nation’s Report Card: Geography 2010.”

Despite all of that, the gap between white and minority students remains wide.  Roughly thirty percent of white 4th-graders scored at “proficient” or “advanced” levels.  This is compared with proficiency percentages of only 5 percent for African-Americans and 8 percent for Hispanics. No blacks or Hispanics reached the advanced range.  The news was bleaker at the higher grade levels. The average eighth-grade inched up just 1 point to 261 during the 16-year period. The average 12th-grade score dipped 3 points to 282.  NAEP noted similarly deteriorating performance with each ascending grade level in reporting U.S. history and civics scores earlier this year.

“In particular, the pattern of disappointing results for our 12th-graders’ performance across all three social science subjects should be of great concern to everyone,” said David P. Driscoll, chairman of the National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for NAEP.

Read the entire story here.