National test shows drop in 8th grade math, reading scores

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — This year’s National Assessment of Educational Progress shows the state’s eighth graders did worse on math and reading than they did two years ago.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports the figures were released Wednesday by the US Department of Education.

North Carolina was one of three states with statistically significant declines in both subject areas. The state’s eighth-grade reading score showed a four-point decline from 2013.

However, fourth-grade reading scores in the state improved four points from two years ago. Fourth-grade math scores showed no significant change.

In North Carolina, fourth-grade scores were higher than national averages in both reading and math.

The NAEP, also known as the nation’s report card, is given to a sample of fourth- and eighth-grade students every two years.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)