Table 4: The proficiency debate

This table shows the percent of students scoring at the proficient level on state math assessments compared to the percent basic on NAEP-math (Middle School Math 2005).

**How to read this table:** In 2005, 63 percent of Alabama students scored proficient on the middle school math assessment. That same year, 53 percent of Alabama eighth-graders scored at or above basic on NAEP-math. The difference between students precent proficient on the state assessment and students basic on the NAEP-reading was 10 percentage points.
	State Assessment (Proficient Level)	NAEP (Basic Level)	Difference
Alabama	63	53	-10
Alaska	62	69	7
Arizona	63	64	1
Arkasas	33	64	31
California	37	57	20
Colorado	44	70	26
Connecticut	76	70	-6
Delaware	53	72	19
Florida	59	65	6
Georgia	69	62	-7
Hawaii	20	56	36
Idaho	70	73	3
Illinois	54	68	14
Indiana	71	74	3
Iowa	74	75	1
Kansas	68	77	9
Kentucky	36	64	28
Louisiana	7	59	52
Maine	29	74	45
Maryland	52	66	14
Massachusetts	39	80	41
Michigan	62	68	6
Minnesota	76	79	3
Mississippi	53	52	-1
Missouri	16	68	52
Montana	63	80	17
Nebraska	72	75	3
Nevada	49	60	11
New Hampshire	na	77	na
New Jersey	62	74	12
New Mexico	24	53	29
New York	56	70	14
North Carolina	84	72	-12
North Dakota	na	81	na
Ohio	63	74	11
Oklahoma	69	63	-6
Oregon	64	72	8
Pennsylvania	63	72	9
Rhode Island	na	63	na
South Carolina	23	71	48
South Dakota	69	80	11
Tennessee	na	61	na
Texas	61	72	11
Utah	na	71	na
Vermont	na	78	na
Virginia	81	75	-6
Washington	51	75	24
West Virginia	71	60	-11
Wisconsin	73	76	3
Wyoming	38	76	38
		Average	14
Source: Hall D. and Kennedy S. Primary Progress, Secondary Challenge (2006). Education Trust

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