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'Nation's Report Card' Shows Kansas Stagnant In Math And Reading

Washburn Rural Middle School, one of Kansas' largest middle schools, has repeatedly been tapped to participate in the NAEP.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen
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Kansas News Service/File photo
Washburn Rural Middle School, one of Kansas' largest middle schools, has repeatedly been tapped to participate in the NAEP.

New test scores for what’s often referred to as the "Nation’s Report Card" are out today for Kansas and the rest of the country.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, tested fourth- and fifth-grade students on their reading and math skills in 2017.

In both categories and grades, Kansas had about the same average test scores as it did in 2015 — close to the halfway point between a ranking of basic and what’s needed to be considered proficient in the subject.

The state's average scores are virtually tied with national scores. Kansas used to perform well compared to the national average, but in recent years has seen that gap all but disappear.

--Stephan Bisaha reports on education for KMUW in Wichita and the Kansas News Service, a collaboration of KMUW, Kansas Public Radio, KCUR and High Plains Public Radio covering health, education and politics. Follow him on Twitter@SteveBisaha. Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished at no cost with proper attribution and a link back to the original post.

Copyright 2018 KMUW | NPR for Wichita

Stephan Bisaha is a former NPR Kroc Fellow. Along with producing Weekend Edition, Stephan has reported on national stories for Morning Edition and All Things Considered, as well as other NPR programs. He provided data analysis for an investigation into the Department of Veteran Affairs and reported on topics ranging from Emojis to mattresses.