MIAMI-DADE 4th AND 8th GRADERS OUTPERFORM STUDENTS IN MAJOR U.S. CITIES IN READING
HISPANIC AND BLACK STUDENTS’ SCORES SHINE

MIAMI- Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) students outperformed students in many major U.S. cities in the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) in reading.  Results for the reading exams surpassed the results reported in December for Mathematics.

“Our students have overcome significant hurdles to score this outstanding achievement,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho.  “In spite of high poverty, language differences and disabilities, our students showed they could perform better than those in other large urban areas.  Teachers, administrators, parents, students and school volunteers all deserve our sincere thanks for helping our students succeed.”

M-DCPS had the highest district average reading score among all TUDA districts in the nation for 8th grade reading.  M-DCPS 4th graders scored above the national average and surpassed their counterparts in New York City, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Overall, M-DCPS students in both 4th and 8th grades scored significantly higher than students in cities with more than 250,000 students, and scored on par with the national total sample of students.

M-DCPS Hispanic students in 4th and 8th grades also scored significantly higher than their counterparts in both large cities and the national sample on every metric.

Additionally, 8th grade Black students scored significantly higher than their counterparts in large cities on every metric: mean score, percent scoring at or above basic, and percent scoring at or above proficient.

No group scored significantly higher than M-DCPS students in Reading, including the national sample, large city schools, or any of the 17 other TUDA districts.

M-DCPS students at the poverty level (those eligible for the Free/Reduced Price lunch program in both 4th and 8th grades) scored significantly higher than their counterparts in both large cities and the national sample on every metric.

No M-DCPS subgroup scored significantly below the national sample or large city schools at either grade 4 or 8.

The positive results are a result of the school district’s concentrated approach to reading instruction, including summer reading camps;  reading interventions in elementary, middle, and senior high schools, as well as  an emphasis on reading across disciplines; a focus on guiding middle school students to advanced level classes which increases the pipeline to Advanced Placement courses at the high school level; extended learning opportunities through the Links to Learning program, and the Superintendent’s Success Academy.

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