The Christian Science Monitor – Lucy Schouten
“You don’t need a math expert to know this doesn’t add up: despite every effort, the math scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress fell overall for the first time in years. Some blame the test, especially in light of President Obama’s statement Saturday that too much testing occurs in schools, but most experts agree that the NAEP is a good one. Math scores on this test have not dropped in 25 years, and a random sampling of fourth- and eighth-grade students take the short test without any chance for prep or stress, which has given the NAEP a reputation as “the nation’s report card,” USA Today reported. It may be too soon to worry. “One downturn does not a trend make,” said Peggy Carr, the federal official in charge of the tests, to USA Today.”(more)