We know a large achievement gap exists within Tennessee.
What is also concerning, and why it is so critical to improve our schools now, is that Tennessee students perform poorly compared to their peers in other states across America.
The 8th grade NAEP comparison tool includes 52 jurisdictions. Washington DC, Department of Defense schools, and the 50 states.
Using 8th grade NAEP scores from 2011, Tennessee:
White students:
rank 50th in math: NAEP State Comparisons – 8th grade math (white)
rank 50th in reading: NAEP State Comparisons – 8th grade reading (white)
Black students:
rank 43rd in math: NAEP State Comparisons – 8th grade math (black)
rank 42nd in reading: NAEP State Comparisons – 8th grade reading (black)
