For Immediate Release

New York City 8th-graders lag in national writing test

Apr 4, 2008 1:11 PM

Results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) released on April 3, show that 55% of New York City 8th-graders scored at the basic level in writing proficiency, meaning they showed a partial mastery of skills, while another 20% scored below the basic level. The national average showed 57% of 8th-graders scoring at the basic level while 13% scored below.

UFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement in response:

“These findings prove that a strong curriculum in schools is a better path to higher academic performance than endless testing, and they show that school districts cannot test prep students into developing higher-order thinking skills.

We know we have a qualified teaching force in New York City and that principals are taking on more responsibility. And even though we support promotional gates for 8th-graders, that is not enough. We must provide the resources needed to bolster education in our middle schools and implement the middle school reforms called for by the Coalition for Educational Justice. Far more work is needed at the middle school level to make education rigorous and engaging, such as broadening the curriculum, lowering class size and ensuring that students get the individualized attention they need. We also must give teachers the professional latitude they need as well as the means to adjust instruction for this challenging age group.”