Eighth graders improve in math

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i eighth-graders' math scores improved from 1990 to 1996, and the state was one of only five in the nation to narrow the gap between the best and the worst of those math students, according to a study released today by the National Education Goals Panel.

Hawai'i fourth-graders stayed even in math and reading, but the poorest readers got worse, the study said.

The Hawai'i results follow a national trend in which states are making more progress in mathematics achievement than in reading, and in which the gap between good and poor readers is growing bigger, said Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon, chairman of the panel.

The study did not rank states by achievement in either field, but simply reported trends within each state during selected periods of the 1990s.

Hawai'i fourth-graders were tested for math in 1992 and 1996, and for reading in 1992 and 1998.

"The good news here, of course, is that the states are making real progress in mathematics," said O'Bannon, chairman of the bipartisan group established in 1990 to set goals for education in America.

"But the findings of this report really underscore the need for most states to look again at their efforts to improve reading," and the need to perform the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests more frequently, he said.

The panel favors high student achievement and graduation rates; better teacher education and professional development; parent-school participation; adult literacy and lifelong learning; and safe and drug-free schools.

The goals also include learning readiness among students starting school, and for United States students to lead the world in math and science achievement.