LD Online recently stated on their website that “36 percent of the nation's fourth graders cannot read at a basic level, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.” [3] This is wrong. While their website offers many good suggestions, their citation and understanding of the Nation’s Report Card is wrong.
The National Center for Education Statistics through their 2017 Nation’s Report Card actually says that 37% of fourth grade students, 36% of eighth graders, and 37% of 12th graders scored proficient or above in reading (see my 1-2-18 blog post for the exact scores). To be labeled proficient, the student must be able to read at or above grade level. This means that LD Online should have read the results correctly and reported that approximately 63% of children across the nation (all races combined) were unable to read at grade level by 4th grade. It is significantly different to say that approximately 63% of children across the U. S. cannot read at grade level by 4th grade. The 2017 scores are lower than the reading scores were in 2015. So, reading failure is getting worse, not better. Also see this link to Petrilli’s evaluation of the most recent scores.
The National Center for Education Statistics through their 2017 Nation’s Report Card actually says that 37% of fourth grade students, 36% of eighth graders, and 37% of 12th graders scored proficient or above in reading (see my 1-2-18 blog post for the exact scores). To be labeled proficient, the student must be able to read at or above grade level. This means that LD Online should have read the results correctly and reported that approximately 63% of children across the nation (all races combined) were unable to read at grade level by 4th grade. It is significantly different to say that approximately 63% of children across the U. S. cannot read at grade level by 4th grade. The 2017 scores are lower than the reading scores were in 2015. So, reading failure is getting worse, not better. Also see this link to Petrilli’s evaluation of the most recent scores.
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