Gaps appear in state, federal test education proficiency scores

In Mississippi, 89 percent of fourth-graders who took a state reading test were rated proficient or better. But when the same students took a federal test, only 18 percent reached that standard.

Such discrepancies are not uncommon. Students from all over the country performed worse on a tough federal test than they did on state exams in reading and math — raising questions about whether states are setting lower standards.

The nation’s students do glaringly worse on a tough federal test than they do on state exams in reading and math, raising doubts about how much kids are learning.

A State-by-State Look at Student Achievement Patterns
Primary Progress,
Secondary Challenge: http://www2.edtrust.org/NR/rdonlyres/15B22876-20C8-47B8-9AF4-FAB148A225AC/0/PPSCreport.pdf

The Education Trust: http://www.edtrust.org

By Ben Feller, AP Education Writer

Full Story: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2006/03/03/gaps_appear_in_state_federal_test_scores/