Question

According to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, what percentage of fourth-grade students have scored "basic"; or "below basic"; in reading?

a. 33% of students nationally, equally split among white, African-American, and Hispanic students
b. 23% nationally, with African-American and Hispanic students making up a disproportionate amount
c. 50% nationally, with white students making up a disproportionate amount
d. 64% nationally, with African-American and Hispanic students making up a disproportionate amount

Answer 1

The correct answer is that 64% of fourth-grade students scored 'basic' or 'below basic' in reading according to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, with disproportionate representation among African-American and Hispanic students.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, the percentage of fourth-grade students who have scored "basic" or "below basic" in reading is option (b) 64% nationally, with African-American and Hispanic students making up a disproportionate amount. This reflects broader challenges within the education system, where children from low-income households, often disproportionately African-American and Hispanic, tend to perform more poorly on educational metrics compared to their more affluent peers.

These students face difficulties in part because of issues like access to quality educational resources, the prevalence of non-English speakers, and the reduction of funds for bilingual education programs, which are vital for easing their transition into American public schools. This educational gap is a clear example of systemic issues that affect learning outcomes and later socio-economic opportunities.