U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today highlighted the results of The Nation's Report Card™: Writing 2007. Secretary Spellings commended educators and students for the significant progress made under No Child Left Behind.

"Just as we have seen with the 2007 reading and math results, student achievement in writing is on the rise," said Secretary Spellings. "Colleges and businesses have made clear that stronger writing skills must be taught in our schools, and these scores show the accountability demanded by No Child Left Behind is producing results."

Spellings noted that average writing scores for both eighth and twelfth graders were higher in 2007 than in previous assessments in 2002 and 1998. The average writing score for eighth- graders in 2007 was 3 points higher than in 2002 and six points higher than in 1998. The average writing score for twelfth-graders in 2007 was five points higher than in 2002 and 3 points higher than in 1998.

"Writing scores for 8th- and 12th-graders are at historic highs. Lower and middle performing students improved, and we are seeing continuing closure of racial, ethnic and gender gaps," said Spellings. "We have more work to do to ensure all groups make gains, but this report assures us that the indicators are moving in the right direction."

More than 165,000 eighth- and twelfth-graders representing a diverse population, in 45 states and the Department of Defense Schools, participated in the 2007 Nation's Report Card on writing. The report shows gains for minority students and male students are helping to narrow some education gaps. At grade eight, a six-point increase in the average score for black students from 2002 to 2007 contributed to a smaller gap between these students and their white peers. At grade twelve, an eight-point increase in the males’ writing score since 2002, narrowed the male-female gap. Secretary Spellings noted that she would like to see more closure in the gap between Hispanic and white students’ scores, but she was encouraged that the average score for Hispanic eighth-graders was higher in 2007 than in both previous assessments.

"In this global economy, the ability to write well, whether it is for narrative, informative or persuasive purposes, is a skill required to succeed in many of our nation’s high-growth industries," Spellings said. "At a time when our student population is becoming more diverse, I am pleased to see evidence that educators and students are rising to the challenge."

Secretary Spellings also noted positive signs in some improved scores in urban districts. Eighth grade scores improved in three of the four school districts that participated in both the 2002 and 2007 Trial Urban District Assessments. Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles saw improved scores, and Houston showed no significant change. In fact, Atlanta and Los Angeles’ gains were greater than those of the State of Georgia and the State of California, respectively.

"While I am pleased by some of these initial indicators from urban districts, I am not yet satisfied." said Spellings. "We still have more work to do to ensure every child is doing their best work, not just in writing, but in math and reading as well. Fortunately, we now have a system of accountability and an appetite for change has built around the nation."

The full NAEP reports are available at http://nationsreportcard.gov/.

###

Top

Back to April 2008