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Top Mathematics Story for Grade 12: Mathematics scores up since 2005 at grade 12


Overall, average mathematics scores for twelfth-graders improved since 2005. In addition, for the first time, state-level grade 12 mathematics results are available. Eleven states participated in the pilot state assessment. The results of the assessment are available in a combined 2009 Grade 12 Mathematics and Reading Report Card.

See a summary of the major findings.

Dig Deeper into Grade 12 Results

... by examining the overall state performance versus the nation, and viewing results by type of school location and size of school.

Overall Results

In the 2009 grade 12 mathematics assessment, students in 6 of the 11 states scored higher than the national average.

The average score for public school students in the nation was 152. Six states had an average score higher than the nation: Connecticut (156), Iowa (156), Massachusetts (163), New Hampshire (160), New Jersey (156), and South Dakota (160). Two states had an average score that was not significantly different from the nation: Idaho (153) and Illinois (154). Three states had an average score lower than the nation: Arkansas (146), Florida (148), and West Virginia (141).

 

Type of school location: City schools

The percentage of students attending city schools ranged from 12 percent in New Jersey to 30 percent in Idaho. In 2 of the 11 states, students who attended city schools scored higher than their peers attending city schools in the nation.

The average score for public school students in the nation was 151. Two states had an average score higher than the nation: New Hampshire (160) and South Dakota (162). Nine states had an average score that was not significantly different from the nation: Arkansas (148), Connecticut (143), Florida (149), Idaho (157), Illinois (150), Iowa (156), Massachusetts (154), New Jersey (138), and West Virginia (152).

 

Type of school location: Suburban schools

The percentage of students attending suburban schools ranged from less than 1 percent in South Dakota to 78 percent in New Jersey. In 2 of the 11 states, students who attended suburban schools scored higher than their peers attending suburban schools in the nation.

The average score for public school students in the nation was 156. Two states had an average score higher than the nation: Massachusetts (164) and New Hampshire (161). Six states had an average score that was not significantly different from the nation: Arkansas (146), Connecticut (160), Idaho (152), Illinois (155), Iowa (157), and New Jersey (159). Two states had an average score lower than the nation: Florida (150) and West Virginia (145). One state did not meet reporting standards: South Dakota.

 

Type of school location: Rural schools

The percentage of students attending rural schools ranged from 9 percent in New Jersey to 46 percent in West Virginia. In 6 of the 11 states, students who attended rural schools scored higher than their peers attending rural schools in the nation.

The average score for public school students in the nation was 150. Six states had an average score higher than the nation: Connecticut (166), Illinois (159), Iowa (158), Massachusetts (167), New Hampshire (157), and South Dakota (158). Two states had an average score that was not significantly different from the nation: Idaho (149) and New Jersey (159). Three states had an average score lower than the nation: Arkansas (145), Florida (142), and West Virginia (137).

 

Size of school: Schools with fewer than 1000 students

The percentage of twelfth-graders attending schools with fewer than 1000 students ranged from 10 percent in Florida to 70 percent in Arkansas. In 4 of the 11 states, twelfth-graders who attended schools with fewer than 1000 students scored higher than their peers in the nation.

The average score for public school students in the nation was 150. Four states had an average score higher than the nation: Iowa (154), Massachusetts (160), New Hampshire (160), and South Dakota (158). Five states had an average score that was not significantly different from the nation: Connecticut (151), Florida (152), Idaho (150), Illinois (153), and New Jersey (155). Two states had an average score lower than the nation: Arkansas (143) and West Virginia (138).

 

Size of school: Schools with more than 1500 students

The percentage of twelfth-graders attending schools with more than 1500 students ranged from 14 percent in Iowa to 80 percent in Florida. In 5 of the 11 states, twelfth-graders who attended schools with more than 1500 students scored higher than their peers in the nation.

The average score for public school students in the nation was 155. Five states had an average score higher than the nation: Arkansas (159), Connecticut (163), Massachusetts (170), New Hampshire (161), and South Dakota (162). Four states had an average score that was not significantly different from the nation: Idaho (156), Illinois (157), Iowa (160), and New Jersey (159). Two states had an average score lower than the nation: Florida(148) and West Virginia (149).

 

 

Top Mathematics Story for Grades 4 and 8: Mathematics scores up since 2007 at grade 8, but unchanged at grade 4


While still higher than the scores in the six assessment years from 1990 to 2005, the overall average score for fourth-graders in 2009 was unchanged from the score in 2007. The upward trend seen in earlier assessments for eighth-graders continued with a 2-point increase from 2007 to 2009.

See a summary of the major findings. 

Dig Deeper into National Results

The Proficient level has been set as the goal for student performance by the National Assessment Governing Board. Dig deeper into the trends of student performance at the Proficient level by viewing the series of charts below.

Overall, the percentage of fourth-graders in the nation performing at Proficient in mathematics has doubled since 1990, the first year the mathematics assessment was administered.

Percentages of fourth-graders in the nation performing at or above each achievement level in 1990 and in 2009.

Explore the grade 4 percentages of students at or above each achievement level.

 

The percentage of eighth-graders at Proficient has also approximately doubled since 1990.

Percentages of eighth-graders in the nation performing at or above each achievement level in 1990 and in 2009.

Explore the grade 8 percentages of students at or above each achievement level.

 

Higher percentages of fourth-grade Black and Hispanic students are at Proficient in 2009 than in 1990, while significantly lower percentages are Below Basic.

Percentages of grade 4 students in 1990 and 2009 at or above each achievement level by race/ethnicity.

View the grade 4 percentages of students by race/ethnicity at or above each achievement level.

 

Similarly, eighth-grade Black and Hispanic students are more likely to perform at Proficient in 2009 than in 1990.

Percentages of grade 8 students in 1990 and 2009 at or above each achievement level by race/ethnicity.

View the grade 8 percentages of students by race/ethnicity at or above each achievement level.

 

The White-Black and White-Hispanic gaps for fourth-graders performing at Proficient have not been reduced between 2009 and 1990.

White-Black and White-Hispanic gaps for fourth-graders performing at the Proficient level for various years from 1990 to 2009.

Compare these results to the changes over time for scale scores of student by race/ethnicity for grade 4.

 

As in grade 4, the percentage difference between White and Black and between White and Hispanic eighth-graders at Proficient has not been reduced in 2009.

White-Black and White-Hispanic gaps for eighth-graders performing at the Proficient level for various years from 1990 to 2009.

Compare these results to the changes over time for scale scores of student by race/ethnicity for grade 8.

 

In 2009, the percentage of fourth-graders from lower-income families who performed at Proficient has increased since 1996.

 

Percentages of grade 4 students at or above each achievement level by eligibility for the National School Lunch Program in 1996 and in 2009.

See the grade 4 percentages of students by eligibility for the National School Lunch Program at or above each achievement level.

Likewise, a higher percentage of eighth-graders from lower-income families performed at Proficient in 2009 than in 1996.

Percentages of grade 8 students at or above each achievement level by eligibility for the National School Lunch Program in 1996 and in 2009.

See the grade 8 percentages of students by eligibility for the National School Lunch Program at or above each achievement level.

# Rounds to zero.

NOTE: Detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. Accommodations were not permitted in the mathematics assessments in 1990 and 1992. Black includes African American, Hispanic includes Latino, Pacific Islander includes Native Hawaiian, and American Indian includes Alaska Native. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin.

 

Top Mathematics Story for Urban Districts: Scores for most districts higher than in 2003, but few made gains since 2007

In comparison to 2003, scores were higher in 2009 for students in large cities and in most participating districts at both grades. Average scores for students in large cities were higher in 2009 than in 2007 at both grades 4 and 8; however, only two participating districts at each grade showed gains.

See a summary of the major findings.

Dig Deeper into Urban District Data

With 18 participating urban districts and results spanning various years, there is plenty of mathematics district-level data to explore. Use this data visualization tool to find out how districts compare and how performance over time changes for students by family income and race/ethnicity.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 1990 - 2009 Mathematics Assessments.
Hide 2009 Grade 12 section Explore the 2009 Grade 12 Reading and Mathematics Report Card

2009 Grade 12 Reading and Mathematics Report Card

 

 

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show Mathematics 2009 section Explore the Mathematics 2009 Trial Urban District Report Card

show Mathematics 2009 section Explore the Mathematics 2009 Report Card

View State and District Snapshots

NCES provides a customized summary report for each state, jurisdiction, or district that participates in the NAEP assessments.

Select a state/jurisdiction and grade to view a State Snapshot report.


Select an urban district and grade to view a District Snapshot report.


Select a state/jurisdiction and subject to view a State Snapshot report at grade 12.


 


See 2009 Mathematics Framework

The mathematics framework serves as the blueprint for the assessment, describing the specific mathematical skills that should be assessed.

For more information, download the Mathematics Framework for the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress.