Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 18, 1994 TAG: 9408180109
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Short
The findings by the National Assessment of Educational Progress reflect schools' increased emphasis on science and math since the 1983 ``Nation at Risk'' report warned of a ``rising tide of mediocrity'' in American schools.
Math and science achievement among pupils aged 9, 13 and 17 generally improved in the 1980s, after a period of decline during the previous decade, the study of trends in education over the past 20 years showed. But for all the talk of improvement, students in 1992 were only at or slightly above where they were 20 years earlier.
``It's not adequate, and we have a long way to go,'' Education Secretary Richard Riley acknowledged. But he added, ``The trends are good ... they're moving in the right direction.''
As for reading and writing, Riley said, ``I think we have let them slip.''
Reading achievement among 9-year-olds fell sharply during the 1980s, the report said. Writing achievement has essentially been stagnant, with the exception of a sharp increase among eighth-graders between 1990 and 1992. Only 2 percent of eighth-graders and 11th-graders were able to write effective responses to questions.
About one-third of the 17-year-olds said in 1992 that they had no homework, or had homework but didn't do it.
by CNB