Key Issues & Trends in Reading

Kimberly Marinan

EDL634

Summer 2005

National Trends in Reading• 17-year-olds. Average scores from 1984 to 1992 were higher than in 1971. The

slight increase between 1971 and 1999, however, was not statistically significant. • 13-year-olds. Average scores increased during the 1970s. Since 1980 scores

have fluctuated; however, the average score in 1999 was higher than that in 1971. • 9-year-olds. Average scores increased during the 1970s. Since 1980 there has

been no further improvement in scores; however, the average score in 1999 was higher than that in 1971.

• Trends in Average Scale Scores for the Nation in Reading

• Figure 1.1, NAEP 1999 Trends in Academic Progress* Significantly different from 1999.SOURCE: National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 1999 Long-Term Trend Assessment.