Florida Students Improve on Reading, Math Skills

Florida's fourth- and eighth-graders did better this year, better than counterparts two years ago on math and reading according to national test results released by the National Assessment of Educational Progress on Thursday.

The NAEP results showed a higher percentage of students scoring at or above the "basic level" this year, increased from 2011 for Florida's fourth-graders in reading and eighth-graders in both math and reading. In math, fourth-graders remained where they were two years ago.

Florida's average fourth-grade reading score stayed well above the national average, as it has for the last decade.

When it came to Florida's reading and math tests, however, Florida students mostly were just at or just below the national average, and often far below top-performing states such as Minnesota and Massachusetts. Massachusetts has been lauded by many in the state as an example of progress and achievement and is often considered the "model state" for education improvement.

The NAEP exams are given to a sampling of students in a few grades in all 50 states, with students selected to represent their state's demographics.Students test success is reported in four categories: "below basic," "basic," "proficient" and "advanced." In 2013,Florida had fewer students in the lowest category on most of the tests than in 2011, the last time the NAEP exam was administered.

"We should be looking toward proficient and advanced," said director of accountability for the Florida Department of Education Jane Fletcher."I think the fact that we have more kids at or above basic is a significant change."