NAEP 2011: Hawaii’s Public School Students Shine

News Release from Hawaii DoE November 1, 2011

Hawaii only state to show both math and reading gains in grades 4 and 8

Hawaii public schools today celebrated marked improvements in its mathematics and reading scores, as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released “The Nation’s Report Card” spring 2011 state-by-state results.

“In 2011, only one state, Hawaii, demonstrated statistically significant improvement in both reading and mathematics at both the fourth and eighth grades," said Jack Buckley, National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner, in a statement. "We commend Hawaii for their performance on the 2011 NAEP assessments and are encouraged by their continued growth in student achievement.”

While the nation and most other state results reflected marginal or zero growth, Hawaii stood out as the only state to show both mathematics and reading gains in grades 4 and 8.

“Hawaii’s fourth- and eighth-graders have steadily narrowed the achievement gap with their peers across the nation. In mathematics, our fourth-graders have fully bridged the gap. I commend our students and educators for their hard work and perseverance,” said Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.

“With that said, we acknowledge much work remains to be done. However, it is evident that our steadfast commitment to requiring rigorous standards-based education over the past decade is starting to pay off.

“In today’s fast-paced global environment, the call for education reform comes at a critical point in our country’s history. As a Race to the Top winner and the nation’s only unified school district, Hawaii is primed for increased success as our focused reform efforts reach every classroom.

“With an unwavering commitment to transform public schools and improve academic achievement in our state, the alignment of education goals among the Governor and the Board and Department of Education will ensure that Hawaii students graduate ready for college and careers.

“From parents to educators to policymakers, we anticipate that Hawaii’s outstanding report card will ignite a momentum and drive for future victories and accomplishments in our public schools.”

Hawaii’s NAEP Highlights

NAEP overall gains in scores from 2003-2011. Hawaii’s rankings in comparison to the nation are:

• Grade 4 mathematics: 4th highest gains in the nation.
• Grade 8 mathematics: 5th highest gains in the nation.
• Grade 4 reading: 14th in the nation in gains.
• Grade 8 reading: 4th highest gains in the nation.

Furthermore, these gains have occurred during a time when the percentage of English-language learners has doubled from 5 percent in 2003 to 10 percent in 2011 for grade 4 and increased from 5% to 8% for grade 8.

NAEP results from 2003-2011 parallel gains in reading and mathematics on the Hawaii State Assessment. Hawaii has consistently demonstrated the rigor of its state accountability test. Many other states continue to show a wide gap between their high-stakes accountability test results and NAEP.

Hawaii’s NAEP results reflect true progress. Furthermore, Hawaii’s student exclusion rates in grades 4 and 8 are among the lowest of the 52 states.

About NAEP 2011

Between January and March 2011, NAEP administered assessments in all 50 states and two jurisdictions (District of Columbia and Department of Defense schools) to a nationally representative sample of 422,000 fourth- and 343,000 eighth-grade students. In Hawaii, about 9,000 grade 8 and 6,000 grade 4 students participated in the spring 2011 assessment.

NAEP achievement levels are set by the National Assessment Governing Board. In regards to levels of rigor, NAEP achievement levels can be considered aspirational. "Basic" indicates partial mastery of prerequisite grade-level knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at each grade, "Proficient" represents competency over complex subject matter and may go beyond the grade level tested, and "Advanced" stands for superior performance. (Note: NAEP“Proficient” is not synonymous with proficiency targets under the No Child Left Behind Act.)

NAEP is a congressionally mandated project of the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.

NAEP 2011 Mathematics Results - Grade 4

Hawaii placed fourth among the nation’s leaders in scale score gains in fourth-grade math from 2003 to 2011.

Hawaii's average scale score for fourth-grade mathematics increased from 236 to 239 between 2009 and 2011. In comparison, the national average remained relatively steady at 240. Since 1992, Hawaii's average scale score has increased 25 points, while the U.S. average has increased 21 points.

In the NAEP achievement levels, 80% of Hawaii's fourth-grade students were at or above Basic level, including 40% at or above Proficient level and 6% at Advanced level. Since 1992, the number of fourth graders at or above Basic has increased 28 percentage points. Nationwide in 2011, 81% of fourth graders were at or above Basic, including 39% at or above Proficient and 6% Advanced. For at or above Basic, Hawaii bridged the gap with public schools nationally for the percentage of students achieving NAEP Proficient or above.

Hawaii's average scale score was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 20 of the 52 states) the nation and 26 of the 52 states or jurisdictions. It was higher than Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and equivalent to Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, and Texas.

Hawaii's achievement level (at or above Proficient) was equal to the percentage for public schools nationally and higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 20 of the 52 states) 31 of the 52 states or jurisdictions. Hawaii was higher than Alabama, Arizona, California, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia, and equivalent to Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and the Department of Defense Schools.

NAEP 2011 Mathematics Results - Grade 8

From 2003 to 2011, Hawaii ranked fifth in scale score gains in eighth-grade math. Hawaii's average scale score for eighth-grade mathematics increased from 274 to 278 between 2009 and 2011. In comparison, the national average increased one point to 283. Since 1990, Hawaii’s average scale score has increased 27 points, while the U.S. average has increased 21 points.

On NAEP achievement levels, 68% of Hawaii's eighth-grade students were at or above Basic level, including 30% at or above Proficient level and 6% at Advanced level. Since 1990, the number of eighth graders at or above Basic has increased 28 percentage points. Nationwide in 2011, 73% of eighth graders were at or above Basic, including 34% at or above Proficient and 8% Advanced. For at or above Basic, Hawaii has narrowed its gap with the national average from 33 points in 1990 to five points in 2011.

Hawaii's average scale score was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 11 of the 52 states) 15 of the 52 states and jurisdictions tested. Hawaii was higher than Alabama, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and equivalent to Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Oklahoma.

Hawaii's achievement level (at or above Proficient) was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 16 of the 52 states) 23 of the 52. It was higher than Alabama, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Tennessee, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, and equivalent to Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, and South Carolina.

Visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard to view:

• Hawaii's 2011 NAEP Mathematics Grade 4 "Snapshot Report"
• Hawaii's 2011 NAEP Mathematics Grade 8 "Snapshot Report"

NAEP 2011 Reading Results - Grade 4

Hawaii's average scale score for fourth-grade reading increased from 211 to 214 between 2009 and 2011. In comparison, the national average remained steady at 220. Since 1992, Hawaii's average scale score has increased 11 points, while the U.S. average has increased five points. From 2003 to 2011, Hawaii ranked fourteenth in scale score gains in fourth-grade reading.

In the NAEP achievement levels, 59% of Hawaii's fourth-grade students were at or above Basic level, including 27% at or above Proficient level and 6% at Advanced level. Since 1992, the number of fourth graders at or above Basic has increased 11 percentage points. Nationwide in 2011, 66% of fourth graders were at or above Basic, including 32% at or above Proficient and 7% Advanced. For at or above Basic, Hawaii has narrowed its gap with the national average from 18 points in 1992 to seven points in 2011.

Hawaii's average scale score was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 8 of the 52 states) 14 of the 52 states and jurisdictions. Hawaii was higher than Alaska, New Mexico, Mississippi, and the District of Columbia, and equivalent to Arkansas, Arizona, California, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Hawaii's achievement level (the percentage of students at or above Proficient) was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: no change) 15 of the 52 states and jurisdictions. It was higher than Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and the District of Columbia, and equivalent to Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

NAEP 2011 Reading Results - Grade 8

Hawaii ranked fourth in scale score gains from 2003 to 2011 in eighth-grade reading. The average scale score for eighth-grade reading from 2009 to 2011 increased by two scale points to 257, compared with the national average of 264. Since 1998, Hawaii's average scale score has increased seven points, while the U.S. average has increased three points.

On achievement levels, 68% of Hawaii's eighth-grade students were at or above Basic, including 26% at or above Proficient and 2% at Advanced. National 2011 data show 75% of eighth graders at or above Basic, including 32% at or above Proficient and 3% Advanced. From 1998 to 2011, Hawaii's share of students who are at or above Basic increased from 60% to 68%, while those at Below Basic decreased from 40% to 32%.

Hawaii's average scale score was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 10 of the 52 states) 11 of the 52 states and jurisdictions tested. Hawaii was higher than the District of Columbia and Mississippi, and equivalent to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Hawaii's achievement level (at or above Proficient) was higher than or statistically equivalent to (2009: 10 of the 52 states) 16 of the 52. It was higher than the District of Columbia, Mississippi, and New Mexico, and equivalent to Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

Visit http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard to view:

• Hawaii's 2011 NAEP Reading Grade 4 "Snapshot Report"
• Hawaii's 2011 NAEP Reading Grade 8 "Snapshot Report"

NAEP reports as PDF files and all NAEP data in an interactive database are on the NAEP web site, http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/

-DOE-

View statement by Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi: http://vimeo.com/31409168

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