By Associated Press - Wednesday, April 11, 2018

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - Results of a national assessment show reading and math scores of fourth- and eighth-grade students in North Dakota made little improvement since 2015.

The study conducted by the National Assessment of Educational Progress is administered every two years, The Bismarck Tribune reported.

The recent report shows that there were no changes nationwide in the average fourth-grade reading or math scores. The national average reading scores for eighth-graders showed a 1-point increase.

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North Dakota’s fourth- and eighth-grade math scores were above national average.

But state Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said more should be done to promote early learning and reading programs. She said other exam scores in the state, such as the North Dakota State Assessment, have remained flat.

“We understand that we’ve all played a role in getting us where we are today, and we all need to play a role to help our students be more successful in both reading and math,” Baesler said. “Nor just for the sake of better test scores, but for the sake of their future success.”

Baesler said several of the state’s programs designed to improve student test scores, including grant programs for early childhood education and the Striving Readers grant, will apply for a share of $28.8 million to improve student reading, writing and comprehension skills.

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos released a statement Tuesday, saying “we must do better for America’s students.”

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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com

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