MONTGOMERY, Ala. — As Governor Kay Ivey begins her second full term, she has emphasized making education a key priority. One of her goals is for Alabama to rank within the top 30 states in math and reading. But where does Alabama stand now?
According to the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card, Alabama ranks 39th in reading and 40th in math for fourth-grade students. These rankings reflect the average scale scores that NAEP assigns to each jurisdiction. While an improvement from past years, Alabama still falls behind many of its neighboring states. Mississippi ranks 34th in math and 22nd in reading, while Georgia ranks 29th in math and 28th in reading. Tennessee holds the highest ranks among Alabama’s neighbors, with 23rd in math and 36th in reading. In contrast, Florida fourth graders consistently rank in the top 10 in both subjects.
Despite the challenges, Alabama’s current standing marks an improvement over 2019 when the state ranked 52nd in math and 49th in reading among fourth graders. Back then, Alabama only outperformed Puerto Rico in math, and in reading, it was only ahead of Louisiana, New Mexico, and Alaska. Neighboring states like Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee were all ranked significantly higher in both subjects.
Progress and Challenges for Alabama’s Eighth-Grade Students
For eighth-grade students, Alabama’s 2022 ranking shows a mixed picture. In math, Alabama improved from 52nd place in 2019 to 47th in 2022. However, nearby states such as Mississippi (46th), Georgia (32nd), and Tennessee (30th) continued to outpace Alabama.
In reading, Alabama’s eighth-grade ranking stagnated, remaining at 49th place. This stands in contrast to neighboring Georgia, which ranked 20th, Tennessee at 36th, and Mississippi at 46th in 2022.
NAEP, overseen by the U.S. Department of Education, provides biannual assessments for fourth and eighth graders in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. military installations. While Alabama has shown some progress, the state still faces significant hurdles in reaching its goal of climbing into the top 30 in national rankings.
As Governor Ivey and education leaders continue their efforts, the state’s future performance will depend on sustained reforms and targeted improvements.
Source : https://whnt.com/news/alabama-news/where-does-alabama-rank-in-education/