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So What?
1) NAEP stands for National Assessment of Educational Progress and is taken by most public school students in 4th, 8th, and 12
th grade as required by the U.S. Department of Education.
2) This is a measure of 8th grader reading proficiency in both public and private schools, broken out by school records of
whether a student is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches as part of the federal School Lunch Program; an indicator of
poverty.
3) Eligibility for free or reduced lunches is generally available for families with incomes below 130% or 185% of the federal
poverty guideline. In the 2008-09 school year, the federal poverty level is $21,200 annual for a family of four in the 48
contiguous states, somewhat higher for Alaska and Hawaii. (See USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, National School Lunch
Program, Income Eligibility Requirements).
4) NAEP Reading proficiency levels for 8th grade are: Basic 243, Proficient 281, Advanced 323. (See NAEP Reading
Achievement Levels by Grade).
5) Data for 'Not Eligible', 'Reduced-price lunch', and 'Free lunch' show strong correlation between poverty level and reading
proficiency.
6) Data over time show essentially no improvement in reading proficiency of these groups between 1998 and 2007.
7) 'Not participating' students are likely enrolled in private schools.
1) NAEP stands for National Assessment of Educational Progress and is taken by most public school students in 4th, 8th, and 12
th grade as required by the U.S. Department of Education.
2) This is a measure of 8th grader reading proficiency in both public and private schools, broken out by school records of
whether a student is eligible for free or reduced-price lunches as part of the federal School Lunch Program; an indicator of
poverty.
3) Eligibility for free or reduced lunches is generally available for families with incomes below 130% or 185% of the federal
poverty guideline. In the 2008-09 school year, the federal poverty level is $21,200 annual for a family of four in the 48
contiguous states, somewhat higher for Alaska and Hawaii. (See USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, National School Lunch
Program, Income Eligibility Requirements).
4) NAEP Reading proficiency levels for 8th grade are: Basic 243, Proficient 281, Advanced 323. (See NAEP Reading
Achievement Levels by Grade).
5) Data for 'Not Eligible', 'Reduced-price lunch', and 'Free lunch' show strong correlation between poverty level and reading
proficiency.
6) Data over time show essentially no improvement in reading proficiency of these groups between 1998 and 2007.
7) 'Not participating' students are likely enrolled in private schools.
NAEP Reading Scores vs. Free & Reduced-Price Lunch Eligibility Over Time
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Supporting Evidence
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