Oklahoma has a long way to go to reach one of its major educational targets.   

The goal is to be ranked in the top 20 states on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also called the “Nation’s Report Card.”   

The Sooner State is currently 42nd in fourth- and eighth-grade reading, 39th in fourth-grade math and 40th in eighth-grade math, according the latest NAEP report, which was released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education.   

Oklahoma’s only improved category, compared to 2017, was eighth-grade math, but the uptick was not statistically significant. Eighth-grade reading scores dropped three points this year, while fourth-grade math and reading scores held steady. 

Nationally, reading scores for both fourth and eighth graders declined. The only state with a significant increase in fourth-grade reading scores between 2017 and 2019 was Mississippi, which has a third-grade retention policy and has beefed up its literacy training for teachers based on the science of reading.  

In math, U.S. fourth graders’ scores improved slightly; among eighth graders, scores declined.  The exams– given every other year to a sampling of fourth and eighth grade students nationwide – are considered the best tool to compare student achievement across states. Approximately 8,900 Oklahoma students at 250 schools in 190 districts were tested this year. 

Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister on Wednesday said Oklahoma’s scores are in line with national trends.   

 “We are encouraged to see improvement in eighthgrade math scores after strengthening our academic standards,” she said. “Oklahoma students can compete academically with other students in the nation, but we have more ground to gain.”

'Nation's Report Card' Rankings

Search by state. Re-order table by clicking on a column heading.
Jurisdiction4th Grade Reading8th Grade Reading4th Grade Math8th Grade Math
Dept. of Defense1112
Massachusetts2231
New Jersey3363
Wyoming417710
Utah571119
Colorado691720
Florida723537
Connecticut841411
New Hampshire9696
Virginia103548
Pennsylvania11191017
Idaho12111612
Minnesota132124
Nebraska14201218
South Dakota1528207
Ohio16102114
Vermont175329
Indiana1813815
Montana19152222
North Carolina20301923
Maine21142325
North Dakota22251516
Kentucky23263138
Iowa24332527
Rhode Island25342942
Maryland26183431
Wisconsin278185
Washington28122713
New York29364129
Mississippi30462448
Kansas31272826
Tennessee32312632
Michigan33294330
Illinois34163824
Missouri35243528
Georgia36323636
Oregon37224235
Delaware38373039
Nevada39444447
Hawaii40433344
California41404543
Oklahoma42423940
Texas43471334
South Carolina44394041
Arizona45383733
Arkansas46414745
District of Columbia47524651
West Virginia48484949
Alabama49495253
Louisiana50455050
New Mexico51515152
Alaska52504846
Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2019

Oklahoma’s goal to be among the top 20 states in NAEP scores is written into its eight-year, comprehensive education plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in 2018. It was created by the state Education Department with input from stakeholders like parents, educators, lawmakers and community members.

NAEP is also the yardstick often used to measure whether Oklahoma’s third-grade retention law is working. The law requires third-grade students who can’t prove they are proficient readers to repeat the grade. 

Scores in 2015 improved, which Hofmeister attributed to the policy. But in 2017 reading scores dipped four points. Hofmeister said a lack of resources and the teacher shortage led to the decline. This year, scores held steady.

For fiscal 2019-20, the state allocated additional dollars to support struggling readers in kindergarten through third grade. The department is asking for a small increase in funding for 2020-21 to train teachers on the science of reading.  

“Our kids do not have to be struggling readers,” Hofmeister said. “Extensive research shows us how the brain learns to read, and many classrooms across Oklahoma and the nation are still teaching reading strategies that have been discredited and could even make it harder for students to learn to read.”   

Education leaders in recent years have focused efforts on stemming the state’s stubborn teacher shortage, including back-to-back years of teacher pay raises. But the number of emergency certified teachers in classrooms continues to climb, with 3,000 approved so far this school year. Last year was a record 3,038.

Reach reporter Jennifer Palmer at jpalmer@oklahomawatch.org.


Support our publication

Every day we strive to produce journalism that matters — stories that strengthen accountability and transparency, provide value and resonate with readers like you.

This work is essential to a better-informed community and a healthy democracy. But it isn’t possible without your support.

Creative Commons License

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.