WASHINGTON - U.S. fourth-graders have lost ground in reading ability compared with kids around the world, according to results of a global reading test.
Test results released Wednesday showed U.S. students, who took the test last year, scored about the same as they did in 2001, the last time the test was given — despite an increased emphasis on reading under the No Child Left Behind law.
Still, the U.S. average score on the Progress in International Reading Literacy test remained above the international average. Ten countries or jurisdictions, including Hong Kong and three Canadian provinces, were ahead of the United States this time. In 2001, only three countries were ahead of the United States.
The 2002 No Child Left Behind law requires schools to test students annually in reading and math, and imposes sanctions on schools that miss testing goals.
The U.S. performance on the international test of 45 nations or jurisdictions differed somewhat from results of a U.S. national reading test, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, known as the nation's report card. Fourth-grade reading scores rose modestly on the most recent version of that test, taken earlier this year and measuring growth since 2005. During the previous two-year period, scores were flat.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071128/ap_on_re_us/reading_scores
How many of our 4th graders are enrolled in ESL classes? Could help explain the low scores.
2007-11-28 17:29:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
Another fine example of the dumbing down of schools. What a shame.
2007-11-28 17:42:58 · answer #1 · answered by Ms.L.A. 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's because of the No Child Left Behind Act. If 4th graders don't do well on the tests the school is punished, so there is a lot of pressure put on teachers. To help students pass the tests the teachers are forced to limit what they teach based on whats on the standard test.
The act only hurts education, it doesn't help it. The teachers don;t have time to teach anything except what is required, and the students only learn how to take the test, not anything useful. I wouldn't be surprised if this trend continues until the act is abolished.
2007-11-28 17:37:17 · answer #2 · answered by Cenobia 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I can't say I'm surprised. Any real reform has been blocked for decades by the teacher's unions and their Democrat accomplices in Congress and state governments.
The only solution they allow is to throw more money at the problem. Heaven forbid they allow any sort of reform like letting parents pick the schools the kids go to.
2007-11-28 17:34:12 · answer #3 · answered by Uncle Pennybags 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just another example of America's failing education system. I find it sad and pathetic that the most Americans today can't find the U.S. on a map. They'd rather watch American Idol or find out the latest on Paris Hilton than become aware of what's happening in the world.
2007-11-28 17:35:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My daughter teacher told me that all they do is prepare for tests and it seems like they don't have time to learn anything new.
2007-11-28 20:36:29 · answer #5 · answered by Ma'am 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I call it video games and piss-poor parenting.
2007-11-28 17:33:25 · answer #6 · answered by rumblecookie 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋