We simply must do a better job of teaching our children this most essential skill. There were striking differences among racial and ethnic groups. Average eighth-grade scores for last year showed that California ranked 33rd out of 36 states, above only Hawaii, Louisiana and Mississippi. The highest performer in the nation, based on average fourth-grade scores, was Connecticut, followed by Montana and New Hampshire.
Analysts say the difference lies in consistency.
By contrast, California has flip-flopped from one assessment to another, leaving no consistent measure of progress. The state has sought to settle that dispute by stressing the need for both strategies in effective early reading programs. At least they have stuck with it. They deserve credit for boosting achievement. You have to get the word to the superintendents and school boards and teachers.