Austin ISD students continue to rank high among their peers in large urban school districts on the Nation's Report Card, ranking third in percentage of students at or above proficiency levels in fourth-grade math.

Today, the National Assessment of Educational Progress reported that AISD students ranked third in fourth-grade math and second in eighth-grade math, with no districts performing significantly better. In fourth and eighth-grade reading, AISD students ranked sixth among 30 districts participating in a Trial Urban District Assessment. 

The Nation's Report Card also reported:

• The fourth-grade math proficiency in AISD was significantly higher than national public schools and comparable to Texas. 

• Fourth-grade reading proficiency was comparable to Texas and national public schools.

• AISD was significantly higher than Texas and comparable to national public schools in eighth-grade math and reading proficiency. 

"I am incredibly proud to see our school district continue to lead in math and reading proficiency among urban districts across the state and nation," Superintendent Paul Cruz said. "These results are a reflection of the efforts made by our teachers, students, and staff, and we will continue to strive to reinvent the urban school experience."

Rankings are based on the percentage of students scoring at or above proficient on the assessment. In addition to reporting results by proficiency level, NAEP also reports results by scale scores. Thirty-one states including Texas saw a significant decline in eighth-grade reading scores. Although there was a significant decline in the average scale score for AISD, there was not a significant decline in the percentage of students at or above proficient.

"Austin students once again held their own at very high levels on this year's National Assessment of Educational Progress," said Executive Director of the Council of the Great City Schools Michael Casserly. "The school district remains at or above national levels in reading and mathematics, and well above results in other big-city school systems across the country."

Since 2005, AISD has participated in NAEP's TUDA administration, otherwise known as the Nation's Report Card.

Representative samples of students from school districts across the United States participated in the 2019 assessment of fourth and eighth-grade students in reading and mathematics. The study provides an opportunity to benchmark progress over time as well as performance against students in other participating urban districts, large U.S. cities and the nation.

To see the complete report, visit www.austinisd.org/dre.