Laura Vanderkam�s Gifted Exchange Blog regarding 12th grade math NAEP test results declining while high school GPAs increased peaked my interest on this topic.

FYI
This first link to a Duke Gifted Letter discusses the difference between a nationally normed grade achievement tests and an individual state grade level achievement assessment. It raises the probability that at least some states have lowered the standards so that more of their students appear proficient (to meet NCLB requirements).

http://www.dukegiftedletter.com/articles/vol7no1_tt.html

This next link profiles and ranks each state based the NAEP results. IL, for example, ranked 33rd




IF ANYONE KNOWS THE LINKS FOR STATE STANDARDIZED TEST RESULTS, PLEASE CONSIDER ADDING THEM HERE.

It was suggested in the first paper that if the state test averages are higher than the NAEP results, that state�s achievement tests (and education) standards may be quite low.

http://www.boardofed.idaho.gov/saa/isat.asp

Here is the link for Idaho. I found it whild looking for IL info.

2005 Idaho state test results
8th grade Math
69.4% proficient (or better)


2005 NAEP test results for Idaho
8th grade Math
29% proficient (or better)


Well, that is quite a difference of opinion!

Re: NAEP results (#2242 by delbows)

Idaho's "proficient" counts students whose typical classroom performance is C- or higher. NAEP's "Proficient" counts students whose classroom performance is typically B+ or higher. Thus accounting for the "difference of opinion"!

Two short papers published in a peer-reviewed online journal will answer any questions you have about this matter....

Using NAEP to confirm state testing results in the No Child Left Behind Act. (2007). Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 12(5). Available online: http://www.pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=12&n=5

Please don't use NAEP scores to rank order the 50 states. (2005). Practical Assessment, Research & Evaluation, 10(9). Available online: http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=10&n=9

Here are links for recent rankings of state results for the SAT and the ACT:

SAT
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2007-08-28-sat-table_N.htm

ACT
http://www.act.org/news/data/07/states.html

Of course, the lower the percentage of students who took the test, the higher the probability that the �cream of the crop� is represented in the state results for that test.

Massachusetts and Minnesota come out at or near the top by these standards, just as they did on the NAEP ranking.

This is an interesting article.

http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/32196.html