Part I, Is the Emphasis on "Proficiency" Shortchanging Higher- and Lower-Achieving Students?

This report is the first in a series of reports describing results from CEP's third annual analysis of state testing data. The report provides an update on student performance at the proficient level of achievement, and for the first time, includes data about student performance at the advanced and basic levels. Also included are profiles for each state, which show trends in reading and math for basic, proficient, and advanced levels in elementary, middle, and high school. The study provides an in-depth look at the full range of student performance in order to better understand whether the No Child Left Behind Act's focus on proficiency has caused teachers to shortchange students at either end of the academic spectrum.

(Errata outlining the specific changes from the June 17th version of the report are available upon request. Please call or e-mail us at 202-822-8065 or cep-dc@cep-dc.org.)