This week, the U.S. Department of Education released the test scores of American students on the long-term National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—an exam that’s been administered to kids since the 1970s. The test found that American students in the earlier grades have made modest progress in reading and math over time. The test scores also reveal that the achievement gap between minority and white children is continuing to (slowly) narrow over time. Unfortunately, the test scores of 17-year-olds are essentially the same as in 1971.

The New York Times was quick to interpret these mixed-results as … Continue Reading