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CMS 4th-graders excel in national reading test

http://66.225.205.104/GC20100521.mp3

CMS fourth graders had the highest reading scores in 2009 among 18 large urban school systems in 2009. The scores were also well above the national average. The test is called the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and it's administered in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education every two years to 4th and 8th graders. CMS is one of 18 urban school systems that are gauged against school districts across the country in cities with at least 250,000 residents. CMS fourth-graders scored 15 points above the national average, and 6 points above the statewide average. Among the 18 urban systems, CMS 8th grade scores were among the top three, although they were about average compared to statewide and national scores. CMS was the only school system in the group of 18 in which fourth-grade white, black, Hispanic and poor students scored above the national average. Eighth-grade black students in CMS scored above the national average as well. White, Hispanic and poor 8th-graders scored about even with national averages. CMS superintendent Peter Gorman says the results are encouraging but he wants to see improvement, "especially among 8th graders." The 18 urban systems judged against the rest of the country include San Diego, Louisville, Boston, Atlanta and Austin, Texas.