African-American and Hispanic students narrowed the achievement gap in reading and mathematics, according to the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released by the National Center for Education Statistics. The NAEP, administered nationally to fourth and eighth graders, also showed Minnesota students again surpassing the national average in reading and mathematics.

"Minnesota’s focus on improving academic achievement, raising accountability and increasing rigor are helping to close the achievement gap," said Education Commissioner Alice Seagren. "I’m grateful to the teachers, principals and parents who have made this possible by sharing a commitment to preparing every student for success after high school."

Known as the "nation's report card," the NAEP is a federally mandated project administered by the National Center for Education Statistics to continuously monitor the knowledge, skills and performance of the nation's students. Since 1969, NAEP has measured and reported on the knowledge and abilities of America's fourth, eighth and twelfth grade students, providing data about student performance in a variety of subject areas at national, regional and state levels.

Minnesota Scores Compared to 2005

* Fourth-grade reading scores remained steady at 225, five points above the national average, while nationally the scores increased from 217 to 220. Only five states posted results that were statistically higher than Minnesota in fourth-grade reading.

* Fourth-grade students improved math scores by one point (from 246 to 247) exceeding the national average by eight points (247 compare to 239). Only Massachusetts posted results that were statistically higher than Minnesota.

* Eighth-grade reading scores remained steady at 268, seven points above the national average of 261. Only four states posted results that were statistically higher than Minnesota in eighth grade reading.

* Eighth-grade students improved in math (from 290 to 292), mirroring the national average increase (from 278 to 280). Minnesota remains 12 points above the national average and only Massachusetts posted results statistically higher than Minnesota.

African-American and Hispanic fourth grade improvement from 2005

* Minnesota’s African-American students improved their reading scores by six points (from 192 to 198), bettering the national gain of four points (from 199 to 203).

* Minnesota’s African-American students improved their math scores by three points, from 219 to 222.

* Hispanic students’ reading scores declined by four points in reading, from 204 to 200.

* Hispanic students improved their math scores by six points (from 223 to 229), two points above the national average for Hispanic students (227) and four points more than the nation.

African-American and Hispanic eighth grade improvement from 2005

* Reading achievement among Minnesota’s African-American eighth-graders improved five points (from 239 to 245, five points is due to rounding), exceeding the national average by one point (244) and showing four points more improvement than the nation (from 242 to 244).

* Mathematics scores for Minnesota African-American students improved 9 points from previous years (from 251 to 260), with Minnesota African-American students scoring one point above the national average (259).

* Reading achievement among Minnesota's Hispanic eighth-graders improved slightly (from 244 to 245), one point below the national average (245 compared to 246).

* Mathematics scores for Minnesota's Hispanic eighth-graders improved by six points from the previous year (from 263 to 269), with Hispanic students scoring four points above the national average (269 compared to 264).

To narrow the achievement gap, a specific student group must make faster progress or have higher average score changes compared to white students.

"I’m very encouraged by the increases in African-American and Hispanic student’s reading and math achievement, which supports the notion that setting high expectations and rigorous standards is the best way to increase student achievement," said Commissioner Seagren. "There is more work to be done and Minnesota must move ahead by enacting additional reforms and innovations that will enable all our students to build on this success in future years."

Under Governor Pawlenty’s leadership, Minnesota has implemented several reform initiatives designed to improve student achievement, including:

* Repealed the Profile of Learning in 2003 and implemented new, rigorous standards;

* New graduation requirements, including Algebra I in eighth grade and Algebra II and Physics or Chemistry to graduate;

* Continued investment in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs;

* The nation-leading Q Comp program, designed to advance the teaching profession by providing structured professional development and evaluation, and an alternative pay schedule to compensate teachers based on performance, not just seniority; and

* Created new regional Math and Science Academies to provide professional development and training opportunities for elementary, middle and secondary teachers in math and science curriculum, standards and instruction.

For more information regarding Minnesota's performance on the 2007 NAEP Reading and Mathematics, visit http://nationsreportcard.gov/.