News Release

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2001
Contact: Martha Deutscher
DoDEA Office of Communications
Voice: (703) 588-3265
Email: Martha.Deutscher@hq.dodea.edu

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE STUDENTS' SCORES
UP ON NATIONAL MATH EXAM
All Scores Above National Average with Minority Students At Or Near Top of
National Scale

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA—3/4 On August 2, the National Center for Educational Statistics released results for the 46 states and jurisdictions that participated in its latest Math test which was administered in the spring of 2000. On that test, the overall performance of DoD 4th and 8th grade students throughout the Department of Defense schools was higher than the national average and both grades showed improvement over the scores earned on the previous test in 1996. Scores for DoD fourth graders in the domestic schools (DDESS) and overseas schools (DoDDS) were identical, and at 228, ranked above the national average of 226. At the eighth grade level, DoD students were also above the national average of 274, with overseas students scoring 278 and domestic students earning 277. At the eighth grade level, DDESS registered the second greatest increase in scores nationwide.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the "Nation's Report Card" is the only test of academic performance administered nationally. The state NAEP provides states and the nation with an independent measure of their students' academic performance over time.

Black and Hispanic students in Department of Defense schools continue to score at, or near, the top of the nation on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Eighth-grade Black DoD students were ranked #1 (DDESS) and #2 (DoDDS) when compared with their peers across the nation. Hispanic students in grade eight ranked #2 (DoDDS) and #4 (DDESS). In grade four, DDESS Black and Hispanic students were ranked second in the nation, while DoDDS Black and Hispanic students were ranked fourth. African American eighth grade students in DDESS not only ranked first in the nation; they also showed the greatest increase in scores of any group nationwide.

Although DoDEA officials are pleased that, as measured by this and other tests, students' performance in mathematics continues to improve, efforts are being made to accelerate achievement. Since the administration of this test in the spring of 2000, several measures have been taken to enhance the mathematics programs in all DoDEA schools. More rigorous mathematics standards have been adopted for all grade levels, new textbooks and supplemental instructional materials have been distributed to all classes, and criterionreferenced tests (which focus upon specific skill areas reflective of the new standards) have been put in place for all grades. Additional improvements in students' performance in mathematics have already been reflected in the scores on DoDEA's most recent standardized test.

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