NAEP History and Civics Scores Rise

On Wednesday, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released data from the 2006 U.S. History and U.S. Civics National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in grades 4, 8, and 12. History scores rose in all three grade levels, but civics scores rose only among 4th graders. This is good news for Secretary Margaret Spellings and the U.S. Department of Education (ED), who are constantly defending the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirements for math and science, when critics claim the focus is taking away from other subjects, like history and social studies.

“While critics may argue that NCLB leads educators to narrow their curriculum focus, the fact is, when students know how to read and comprehend, they apply these skills to other subjects like history and civics, and the result is greater academic gains,” Spellings said. The rise in U.S. History scores is important for ED, especially at the 12th grade level, where students are consistently testing at flat or declining levels on math and science. While Spellings may be able to use this data to deflect criticism of NCLB’s math and science focus, the debate is far from over.

On the U.S. History test:

· 70% of 4th graders performed at the basic level or better, meaning some of them scored at proficient or advanced levels. That is up from about 66% in 2001. 4th graders who can work at the basic level should understand the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, for example.

· Among 8th graders, 65% performed at the basic level or better, up from 62% in 2001. 8th graders working at that level can typically identify slave states on a map.

· While there has been an increase in 12th-grade history scores — a rare occurrence on National Assessment of Educational Progress tests — the results are still not seen as great news. Just 47% know at least basic-level history, up from 43% in 2001. Seniors working at the basic level should be able to explain the historical context of Supreme Court decisions.

· There was no change in the percentage of students performing at or above the "proficient" level, at any grade level. About 20% reached that mark in the 4th and 8th grades, as did 14% of high school seniors.

In U.S. Civics:

· 73% of 4th graders performed at the basic level or higher — up from 69% in 1998. 4th graders working at the basic level know that only citizens can vote in the United States.

· 70% of 8th graders could do basic work or better in civics — the same percentage as in 1998. 8th graders demonstrating basic knowledge should be able to identify the term limit for the president.

· 66% of 12th graders scored at the basic level or higher, also the same as the 1998 results. A student whose performance falls in that category should be able to identify a leadership position in Congress.

· About a quarter of 4th and 8th graders rated "proficient" or better, and almost a third of seniors did.

You can view both NAEP reports at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

Resources:
Sam Dillon, “Students Gain Only Marginally on Test of U.S. History,” New York Times, May 17, 2007.
Stephen Sawchuk, “NAEP History Scores Rise in 3 Grades,” Education Daily, May 17, 2007.
Author: SAS