Atlanta on the NAEP

I never thought I'd have anything to say to defend disgraced former Atlanta super Beverly Hall, but I went to the NAEP web site (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/districts) and looked up the city's data (attached) and I have to say it's very impressive (and I have no reason to believe there was any cheating here – it's a "low-stakes" test and I've never heard anything ever about cheating on the NAEP).  Here's the summary:

 

·        In 4^th grade reading, from 2002-2009, Atlanta went from 195 to 209, a 14-point gain (10 points equals roughly one grade level) vs. the large-city average going from 202 to 210, only an 8-point gain.  Students at Basic or better rose from 35% to 50%.

·        In 8^th grade reading, from 2002-2009, Atlanta went from 236 to 250, a 14-point gain vs. the large-city average going from 250 to 252, only a 2-point gain. Students at Basic or better rose from 42% to 60%.

·        In 4^th grade math, from 2003-2009, Atlanta went from 216 to 225, a 9-point gain vs. the large-city average going from 224 to 231, only a 7-point gain. Students at Basic or better rose from 50% to 63%.

·        In 8^th grade math, from 2003-2009, Atlanta went from 244 to 259, a 15-point gain vs. the large-city average going from 262 to 271, only a 9-point gain. Students at Basic or better rose from 30% to 46%.

·        In 8^th grade writing, from 2002-2007, Atlanta went from 130 to 145, a 15-point gain vs. the large-city average going from 139 to 145, only a 6-point gain. Students at Basic or better rose from 68% to 83%.