EducationNews.org

http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/main2007/2008468.pdf

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released its 2007 eighth-grade writing scores today. These scores have particular significance to Texas because we are engaged in an intense battle over the rewrite of the English / Language Arts / Reading standards. 

One side, the Coalition made up of eleven organizations with ties to NCTE and other national organizations, has joined up with the bilingual organizations to impede progress toward changing the way our state teaches students how to read, write, and speak English. 

By looking at the NAEP writing results below, it is obvious that Texas needs to change the status quo.  Anyone can see that the way English is being taught right now is simply not working. 

Those of us who want change are strongly advocating that students need to be taught explicit grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization so that they will have a strong foundation upon which to build good writing skills. 

In the new ELAR standards, our side wants to have a separate strand for oral and written conventions so that these skills will be emphasized among our Texas students. 

The Coalition and bilingual advocates believe writing should be taught in an integrated fashion without directly teaching and holding students accountable in their writing for correct grammar/usage. 

The battle rages; but these NAEP scores should give the Coalition, the bilingual advocates, and the policymakers pause for consideration.     

On the 8th grade NAEP Writing (2007), Texas has the highest exclusion rate (7%) of

any state in the country.  The national average is 3%.  The exclusion rate includes students with disabilities and English language learners.
(Table A-3, p. 54, http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/main2007/2008468.pdf)

By leaving out so many eighth-grade students who have disabilities and those who are struggling with English, one would think Texas' NAEP writing scores would be some of the highest in the nation. 

Instead, Texas' eighth-grade writing scores are some of the lowest and rank very poorly compared to other states' scores.  33 states ranked higher in At or above Basic; 32 states ranked higher in At or above Proficient; 17 states ranked higher in Advanced.   

Table A-6, p. 56, http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/main2007/2008468.pdf

TEXAS

At or above Basic -- Texas, 86%  -- (87% -- national ave.) -- 33 states scored higher than did Texas. 
At or above Proficient -- Texas, 26%  -- (31% -- national ave.) -- 32 states scored higher than did Texas. 
At Advanced -- Texas, 1% -- (2% -- national ave.) -- 17 states scored higher than did Texas. 

=================================================================

Table A-8, p. 58, http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/pdf/main2007/2008468.pdf

Florida Hispanics compared to Texas Hispanics: 

150 -- Average scale score -- Florida
142 -- Average scale score -- Texas
16 -- Below Basic -- Florida
19 -- Below Basic -- Texas
84 -- At or above Basic -- Florida
81 -- At or above Basic -- Texas
28 -- At or above Proficient -- Florida
16 -- At or above Proficient -- Texas
2 -- At Advanced -- Florida
0 -- At Advanced -- Texas