The Maine Department of Education had good news to report this week when it received the latest results from the Nation’s Report Card.
Out of 52 states and territories participating in 4th grade and 8th grade science assessments, Maine was in the top tier.
“Maine tied for the fifth highest science score in grade 4 and tied for eighth highest in grade 8. By some measures, such as percent of student proficiency, Maine ranks even higher on the test, which was administered in 2009 and is being reported today,” the Department of Education announced Tuesday.
Among 4th graders, 42 percent of students were rated as proficient in science, while only 32 percent nationally achieved this standard. Among 4th graders, the percent achieving proficiency was 35, compared to a national rate of 29 percent.
The results of the 2009 assessments for mathematics, reported earlier, showed a similar record of success. Both 4th and 8th graders showed a greater level of proficiency than their peers. Maine students also did well in earlier rounds of testing.
The results reported in the Nation’s Report Card are compiled by the National Assessment of Educational Progress as part of a continuing measure of achievement in the nation’s schools. NAEP, part of the U.S. Department of Education, aims to provide a common yardstick for measuring what American students know.
Maine’s record on these important tests contradicts the harsh criticism leveled at Maine schools last fall by several candidates running for governor and their supporters. Paul LePage and Eliot Cutler both implied that Maine education badly lags the nation. We hope this report puts an end to that canard
Though the results are good, there is still room for improvement. The ultimate goal should be for all students to be proficient in every subject. But teachers, administrators, school boards and the Maine Department of Education can point to these results as part of a continuing record of success.
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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven by calling 282-1535, Ext. 327, or via e-mail at nickc@journaltribune.com.
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