The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has released the 2024 Nation’s Report Card, showcasing Tennessee’s commitment to public education with reading and math scores that exceed national averages. In 2024, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) evaluated about 112,700 fourth graders and 111,300 eighth graders nationwide from public and private schools, measuring student achievement through a sample of selected schools.
“We are proud of the efforts of Tennessee students and educators,” according to JC Bowman, executive director of Professional Educators of Tennessee. This year’s NAEP results reveal that Tennessee’s 4th and 8th graders have shown improvement, exceeding national averages in reading and math.
Highlights from Tennessee’s 4th and 8th-grade results include:
4th Grade Reading:
- 32% of students scored proficient, a two-point increase from 2022, surpassing the national average of 30%.
- Proficiency rose by one point for male, female, and English learner students, while it decreased by five points for students with disabilities.
8th Grade Reading:
- 32% achieved proficiency, a four-point increase from 2022, exceeding the national rate of 29%.
- English learners saw a 15-point rise; male students improved by five points, and female students, along with students with disabilities, each increased by one point.
4th Grade Math:
- 42% were proficient, marking a six-point increase from 2022, above the national average of 40%.
- English learners improved by 11 points; male and female students increased by three points, while students with disabilities saw a decrease of two points.
8th Grade Math:
- 31% reached proficiency, a seven-point rise from 2022, surpassing the national average of 27%.
- English learners increased by 13 points; male students improved by six points; female students by two points; and students with disabilities experienced a one-point decline.
The Nation’s Report Card provides a national overview, while the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) aligns with state standards and evaluates individual performance. “By measuring the results of any assessment, we gain crucial information to identify specific areas where individuals or groups need additional support. This allows educators, schools, and states to allocate resources and interventions more effectively,” according to Bowman. He added: “Still, we don’t want to read too much into any single test or measurement.”
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Professional Educators of Tennessee is a non-partisan teacher association located in Nashville, Tennessee. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author and the association are properly cited. For more information on this subject or any education issue please contact Professional Educators of Tennessee. To schedule an interview please contact Kaylee Joslyn, Member Services Coordinator at 1-800-471-4867 ext.104.
