Idaho eighth-graders do well in reading

BOISE (AP) - The percentage of Idaho eighth-graders who are proficient or better in reading skills exceeds the national average, according to national test results released Thursday.

But results included in the 2013 Nation's Report Card show Idaho fourth-graders testing below their counterparts in other states in math and reading. Idaho fourth-graders scored a little below average in math and reading in an exam done every year by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Results showed about 38 percent of Idaho eighth-graders were proficient or above in reading and tracking ahead of the national average of about 34 percent. That rate also matches scores by students in 17 other states such as Utah, Colorado, Washington and Montana that also were above the national average.

Overall, results show no significant change in Idaho students' average scores from 2011.

Idaho Public Schools Chief Tom Luna praised the results, saying they show the effort by schools to focus on reading and math skills.

"I applaud Idaho's eighth grade students for continuing to outpace their peers across the nation in reading and mathematics," Luna said. "It is clear our investments in the Idaho Reading and Math Initiatives and the hard work of Idaho's teachers are paying dividends to help in better preparing Idaho students for higher levels of reading and mathematics, especially when compared to their peers across the country."

Luna said the report card also provides a preview of how Idaho students are faring compared to the more rigorous Idaho Core Standards, which the state adopted in 2011 but won't test students on until 2015.

The results suggest that just 30 to 40 percent of Idaho students will be performing on grade level in reading and math, as measured under the higher standards.

The NAEP is given every two years to a sample of fourth and eighth graders across the nation.