Since the early 1990s, North Carolina has participated in the federal National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing program.  The 2011 (biennial) results were released today.

Reading: Fourth-grade reading scores were not significantly different than 2009, but there was a statistically significant increase in eighth-grade reading scores.  Reading scores were not significantly different than the national average.

Math: Scores for fourth- and eighth-grade math were not significantly different than 2009.  Math scores remained above the national average.

Bottom line: Despite “draconian” budget cuts, North Carolina’s NAEP scores either stayed the same or increased.

Note: I will discuss these results in greater detail in my weekly newsletter.