New Hampshire Students Among Top Performers in the Nation According to National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

October 14, 2009

The mathematics results for the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show students in both grade four and grade eight attained significant increases in their scores over the 2007 NAEP results. Moreover, the 2009 results show steady progress over time since the first New Hampshire state-level NAEP assessments administered in the early 1990's. NH also performed very well when compared to the rest of the nation. NH fourth graders scored higher than their classmates in 49 other jurisdictions, scored similarly to 2 (two) others. None of the jurisdictions scored significantly higher. NH eighth graders scored higher than 44 other jurisdictions, scored similarly to 6 others, and scored below only Massachusetts. There were 52 jurisdictions (states, territories, and the Department of Defense) that participated in the assessment and involved nearly 163,000 students from the sampled schools in the various jurisdictions. NH students have consistently scored above the national average in all grades and subjects. The mathematics results are given here and the reading results will be available later.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is also commonly known as "the Nation's Report Card," and is conducted at both the state and the national level. This assessment has been focusing on what America's students know and are capable of doing in various subject areas since 1969. The NAEP mathematics assessment measures students' knowledge and skills in mathematics and students' ability to apply their knowledge in problem-solving situations. The results from the 2009 assessment are compared to those from previous years, showing how students' performance in mathematics has progressed over time.

This cycle marks the fourth consecutive NAEP state Assessment in which NH has participated (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2009). The state-level NAEP assessment is conducted every two years in math and reading and requires a state representative sample from grades 4 and 8. NAEP selects a representative sample of students by first randomly selecting schools and then selecting the students within those schools who will participate in a given NAEP assessment. Because of the matrix sampling NAEP does not provide individual scores for students or schools.

The NH mathematics sample size was nearly 3,000 students per grade and included 160 schools at grade four and over 90 schools at grade eight. The scores are given as an aggregate average scale score for the state resulting from the grade-appropriate performance of the stratified random sample. The NAEP scores for mathematics are based upon a 0-500 scale. Only five states or jurisdictions increased their scores in both grade four and grade eight, the three New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) states (New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) Nevada and the District of Columbia. Highlights for NH by grade for the 2009 results are listed below.

Grade 4 Mathematics

• The average scale score for NH students is 251. This is significantly higher than the corresponding score for the Nation, 239. It is also significantly higher than our state's score in 2007 (249).
• NH fourth graders scored higher than their classmates in 49 other jurisdictions, scored similarly to 2 (two) others. None of the jurisdictions scored significantly higher.
• 56% of the assessed students scored at the Proficient achievement level and above. This is an increase of 4% over the 2007 results.
• 92% of the assessed students scored At-or-Above the NAEP Basic achievement level. This is an increase of 1% from 2007, and although not statistically significant, it is important in showing a continued trend since 2003 of fewer students scoring below Basic.
• The percentage of students in NH who performed At-or-above Basic was greater than that of the Nation (92% vs. 81%) and as well At-or-above Proficient (56% vs. 38%).

Grade 8 Mathematics

• The average scale score for NH students is 292. This is significantly higher than the corresponding score for the Nation, 282. It is also significantly higher than our state's 2007 grade 8 scale score of 288.
• NH scored higher than 44 other jurisdictions, scored similarly to 6 others, and scored below only 1 other jurisdiction. This compares with scoring higher than 32 jurisdictions, similarly to 15 others, and below 4 in 2007.
• 43% of the assessed students scored at the Proficient achievement level and above. This is an increase of 4% over the 2007 results. The At-or-above Basic also increased by 4% over 2007 (78% to 82%).
• The NH Grade 8 scores also showed a significant positive change for students scoring at the Advanced level from 2007 to 2009. This percentage increased significantly from 8% to 11%.
• The percentage of students in NH who performed At-or-above Basic was greater than that of the Nation (82% vs. 71%).
• The percentage of students in NH who performed At-or-above Proficient was greater than that of the Nation (43% vs. 33%).
• The percentage of students in NH who performed at the Advanced level was greater than that of the Nation (11% vs. 7%).

For more information on New Hampshire's NAEP results visit www.education.nh.gov or contact David Gebhardt, NH NAEP Coordinator at (603) 271-2298 or dgebhardt@ed.state.nh.us. For a complete set of national results, visit www.nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard.