Austin ISD students continue to outperform their peers in large urban school districts on the Nation's Report Card, ranking first in percent of students at or above proficiency levels in eighth-grade reading.

Today, the National Assessment of Educational Progress reported that AISD students ranked fourth in fourth-grade math and second in eighth-grade math, with no districts performing significantly better. In fourth-grade reading, AISD students ranked eighth among 27 districts participating in a Trial Urban District Assessment.

"We are proud to continue outpacing districts nationwide in preparing our students for success in reading and math," Superintendent Paul Cruz said. "The efforts of our teachers, students and staff have paid off and we will continue our work to reinvent the urban school experience. Our district has a strong focus on our theory of action for teaching and learning, which centers on managed instruction and social and emotional learning.”

Rankings are based on the percent of students scoring at or above proficient or advanced on the assessment.

"These results demonstrate that Austin schools continue to be at the top of the heap among big city schools across the country in reading and mathematics in both testing grades," said Executive Director of the Council of the Great City Schools Michael Casserly. "In addition, the district is at or above national averages on some metrics, demonstrating the district's academic expertise."

Since 2005, AISD has participated in NAEP's TUDA administration, otherwise known as the Nation's Report Card.

Representative samples of students from school districts across the United States participated in the 2017 assessment of fourth and eighth grade students in reading and mathematics. The study provides an opportunity to benchmark progress over time as well as performance against students in other participating urban districts, large U.S. cities and the nation.

To see the complete report, visit www.austinisd.org/dre.