Today, not all children are being challenged to reach high standards.
- 41% of our 4th graders cannot read at the basic level and only 28% performed at or above the proficient level, according to the 1994 NAEP Reading Report Card.
- 75% of our 8th graders do not take algebra by the end of 8th grade, and only 21% scored at or above the proficient level, according to the 1996 Mathematics Report Card. Our 8th graders also scored below the international average among 41 countries in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS).
The idea behind voluntary national tests is not to simply have another test. The reason for voluntary national tests is to change the odds for our kids -- to improve the chances that all children will receive high quality instruction in reading and mathematics.
