In Common Core Era, States Still Define ‘Proficient’ Differently

The vast majority of states have adopted Common Core academic standards, but individual states are still setting different definitions of “proficient” on annual math and reading tests, according to a new study.

 

And in many states, the study says, annual tests set a significantly lower bar for “proficient” than the National Assessment for Educational Progress, or NAEP, a national exam that is administered every two years to a sample of students in the fourth and eighth grades.

 

The analysis by Gary Phillips of the American Institutes for Research shows that it continues to be difficult to directly compare student performance across state lines — one of the key problems that common standards and tests were meant to address.

 

“This is something I’m hoping will just help policymakers put in perspective what the states are claiming and what they’re doing,” Phillips said. “The states still are setting wildly different standards.”

 

The 50 states gave 50 different tests until last year. Although some were scored rigorously, others were not, making it difficult to compare how students in Alabama were faring compared with students in Arizona and Alaska.