Results underscore need for action to improve outcomes for historically under-served groups of students and importance of maintaining accurate and high expectations for all students
New York’s performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – known as “the nation’s report card” – remained statistically unchanged from 2015 to 2017, with more than one-third of fourth and eighth graders proficient in math and reading, while New York’s ranking among the states improved in math. Importantly, NAEP continues to reveal troubling achievement gaps for New York’s performance for students of color and low-income students, and it should be a reminder of the need for urgent attention and action to improve support for historically under-served groups of students.
This year’s NAEP results are being released the same week that state assessments begin for students in grades 3-8 and as the state’s largest teachers’ union is conducting a campaign to lower expectations for students on those assessments. New York should take pride in the relatively close alignment between the results on NAEP and the state’s own academic expectations, which offer an honest and accurate picture of how well schools are preparing students for their future. Maintaining high and meaningful expectations is vital to identifying and addressing the achievement and opportunity gaps that hold so many students back from being successful.
| State Ranking | 2015 | 2017 |
| Grade 4 Math | 40th | 36th |
| Grade 8 Math | 33rd | 25th |
| Grade 4 Reading | 28th | 27th |
| Grade 8 Reading | 31st | 32nd |
| Based on percent of public school students at or above proficient in NAEP | ||
| Percent of Students Proficient in Math in 2017 | Grade 4 | Grade 8 |
| All students | 35% | 34% |
| Black students | 22% | 16% |
| Hispanic students | 20% | 19% |
| White students | 45% | 42% |
| Asian students | 59% | 62% |
| Eligible for free/reduced-price lunch | 23% | 21% |
| Not eligible for free/reduced-price lunch | 49% | 45% |
| Students with disabilities | 11% | 8% |
| Not students with disabilities | 40% | 39% |
| English Language Learners | 3% | 5% |
| Not English Language Learners | 39% | 36% |
| Based on percent of public school students at or above proficient in NAEP | ||
| Percent of Students Proficient in Reading in 2017 | Grade 4 | Grade 8 |
| All students | 36% | 34% |
| Black students | 19% | 20% |
| Hispanic students | 21% | 22% |
| White students | 47% | 42% |
| Asian students | 53% | 49% |
| Eligible for free/reduced-price lunch | 24% | 22% |
| Not eligible for free/reduced-price lunch | 49% | 46% |
| Students with disabilities | 10% | 9% |
| Not students with disabilities | 41% | 39% |
| English Language Learners | 5% | 3% |
| Not English Language Learners | 39% | 36% |
| Based on percent of public school students at or above proficient in NAEP | ||