The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) recently published studies that compare National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 4th and 8th grade reading and math tests to state tests for those grades and subjects.

NAEP tests are a series of standardized tests administered to a representative sample of students in every state, and, because all states participate, NAEP tests are considered the benchmark by which we can gauge the rigor of state tests.

Among other findings related to trends and achievement gaps, researchers found:

? North Carolina’s primary grade 4 reading performance standard (consistent mastery/Level III/proficient) is below the NAEP basic level. This is also true for grade 8.

? North Carolina’s primary grade 4 mathematics performance standard (consistent mastery/Level III/proficient) is below the NAEP basic level. This is also true for grade 8.

Why is this significant? For years, state education leaders have claimed that NAEP’s “basic” level was similar to our state’s “proficient” level. The truth is that our state’s “proficient” level is below NAEP’s “basic” level. Of course, our state’s “proficient” level comes nowhere near NAEP’s “proficient” level.

On the other hand, South Carolina’s state standards align well with NAEP standards. What South Carolinians call “proficient” is close to what NAEP calls “proficient.” In fact, South Carolina’s 8th grade math proficiency standards are higher than NAEP’s “proficient” level, falling between NAEP’s “proficient” and “advanced” levels.