Ritter, Gary

English

The OEP is pleased to bring you its 2011 Report Card for Arkansas’ public schools highlighting Arkansas’ education performance and characteristics through the 2010-2011 academic year. We hope this report is accessible and informative for educators and policymakers in the state. The charts and figures here are a reflection of the progress we have made as a state in the last decade. They also serve as a reminder that we still need improvement and reform to continue that progress

ScholarWorks@UARK

University of Arkansas, FayettevilleScholarWorks@UARKEducation Report Card Office for Education Policy5-3-20112011 Report Card on Arkansas Public SchoolsGary RitterFollow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepcardPart of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, and the EducationPolicy CommonsThis Report Card is brought to you for free and open access by the Office for Education Policy at ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted forinclusion in Education Report Card by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu,ccmiddle@uark.edu.Recommended CitationRitter, Gary, "2011 Report Card on Arkansas Public Schools" (2011). Education Report Card. 12.http://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepcard/121  Office for Education Policy 2011 Report Card on Arkansas  Public Schools Sections of this report:          The OEP is pleased to bring you its 2011 Report Card for Arkansas’ public schools highlighting Arkansas’ education performance and characteristics through the 2010-2011 academic year. We hope this report is accessible and informative for educators and policymakers in the state. The charts and figures here are a reflection of the progress we have made as a state in the last decade. They also serve as a reminder that we still need improvement and reform to continue that progress. A few highlights from the report:  More Arkansas students are scoring at proficient or advanced on both the Benchmark and End-of-Course state assessments each year. A general upward trend over the last several years continued into 2011.  Arkansas students continue to achieve at lower levels than their peers nationally on the NAEP, the “Nation’s Report Card”. This gap exists in all subjects across grades 4, 8, and 12.   The achievement gap between black students and non-blacks (including whites and Hispanics) is consistent between 4th and 8th grades, but is  almost universally smaller than the overall US achievement gap as measured by NAEP.  A low percentage of Arkansas students are academically ready for college as measured by the ACT. Students’ college readiness is lower than in nearby states and in the nation.   Arkansas teachers are paid well compared to teachers in nearby states, and compared to the nation as a whole, when regional cost of living is taken into account.  Arkansas students have higher rates of poverty and more students are Hispanic today compared to 15 years ago. Thank you for reading and we hope you enjoy! 1. Standardized Tests 2-4. Achievement Gaps 5. Secondary and Beyond $51,558$55,643$54,429$52,320$52,803$44,994$49,840$48,872$51,586$54,049$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,0006. School and Teacher  Characteristics 77%67%71%77%82%76%76%68%71%74%77%71%57%50%57%47%51%50%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 32005 2010 20110%10%20%30%40%50%60%Arkansas Nearby States US Arkansas Nearby States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedBlack Hispanic White83%20%6%83%15%8%86%28%10%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%HS Graduate Bachelor's AdvancedArkansas Surrounding States US2  1. Performance on Statewide Standardized Assessments T his section highlights overall student performance on the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP), benchmark exams administered in Arkansas. The benchmark exams are the state-developed criterion-referenced assessment administered to students in grades 3 through 8 each year.  In 2011, proficiency rates for math and literacy increased for four of the six grades and stayed the same for one. In both subjects, 7th grade achievement declined from 2010. Figure 1.1: AR Benchmark: Percent Proficient and Advanced in Math, 2005, 2010, & 2011 Figure 1.2: AR Benchmark: Percent Proficient and Advanced in Literacy, 2005, 2010, & 2011 Table 1.1: AR Benchmark: Percent Proficient and Advanced in Grades 4 and 8 State proficiency rates on the benchmark have in-creased since 2007. These gains are generally larger in 4th grade than in 8th grade. Year Grade 4 Grade 8 Math Literacy Math Literacy 2007 65% 59% 48% 63% 2009 78% 70% 61% 71% 2011 82% 82% 63% 77% Change 07-11 +17 pts +23 pts +15 pts +14 pts 77%67%71%77%82%76%76%68%71%74%77%71%57%50%57%47%51%50%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 32005 2010 201163%74%77%78%82%85%63%75%75%74%80%84%33%43%43%41%50%58%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 32005 2010 20113  2. Performance on National Standardized Assessments  T he NAEP, often called “The Nation’s Report Card”, is administered to a representative sample of Arkansas students in grades 4, 8, and 12 every other year. In the most recent administration of the NAEP (Spring 2011), math and reading subtests were given across the nation.   As can be seen in the NAEP graphs, Arkansas’ performance continues to lag behind that of the country as a whole in math and reading.  Figure 2.2: NAEP: Math Proficiency, Grade 8, 1992-2011 Figure 2.3: NAEP: Reading Proficiency, Grade 4, 1992-2011 Figure 2.4: NAEP: Reading Proficiency, Grade 8, 1998-2011 Fewer Arkansas 4th graders are proficient in math and reading than are their peers across the nation. The gap in both subjects has nar-rowed over time, but persists nonetheless. Arkansas’ 8th grade math proficiency rate has gradually approached the national average, while its reading proficiency rate has remained relatively consistent at 5 to 6 points below the national average. 10%13%22%24%27%29%21%26%30%32%34% 35%0%10%20%30%40%1992 2000 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.23%26%30% 29% 29% 30%29%31% 31%33% 33% 34%0%10%20%30%40%1992 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.23%27% 26% 25%27% 28%32% 33% 31% 31% 32%34%0%10%20%30%40%1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.Figure 2.1: NAEP: Math Proficiency, Grade 4, 1992-2011 10%13%34% 37% 36% 37%18%24%36%39% 39% 40%0%10%20%30%40%1992 2000 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.4  26% 25% 24%18%38%19%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedFRL Non-FRLFigure 3.2: NAEP Math Proficiency Rates by Poverty Levels, 2011 57% 44% 57% 50% 47% 55% 16% 17% 17%9%14% 14%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedBlack Hispanic WhiteFigure 3.1: NAEP Math Proficiency Rates for Selected Race/Ethnicities, 2011 28% 28% 24% 20% 30% 21% 45% 49% 52% 37% 43% 44% This section of the Report Card highlights differences in NAEP math performance between students in two categories: race and poverty status.  In Arkansas, there is a racial achievement gap in NAEP math performance in grade 4 and in grade 8. However, despite this gap, grade 4 Hispanic students in Arkansas perform as well as their peers in the border states. Further more Hispanic students score at the proficient or advanced level on the NAEP math exam  in Arkansas(28%) as compared with their Hispanic peers nationwide (24%). The opposite is true in grade 8 with only 20% of Arkansas’ Hispanic students scoring at the proficient and advanced level on the NAEP math exam compared with 30% in the border states and 21% nationwide. More grade 4 students eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch (FRL) in Arkansas (26%) are scoring at the proficient or advanced level on the NAEP math exam as compared to the border states (25%) and nation (24%). However, similar to performance by race, the opposite is true among grad 8 students. 3. Achievement Gaps on NAEP Math 2011 Explanation of Charts: The top of each group’s color represents that group’s proficiency rate in reading as measured by the NAEP. This format is possible because gaps occur in the same direction across both grades and all three areas. For example, white students consistently  have higher proficiency rates than Hispanic students, and Hispanic  students have higher rates than black students. The same holds for other graphs: non-poverty students consistently have higher proficiency rates than poverty students.  5  20% 17% 18% 18% 16% 18%0%10%20%30%40%50%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedFRL Non-FRL11%14% 16%9%12% 14%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedBlack Hispanic WhiteThis section of the Report Card highlights differences in NAEP Reading performance between students in two categories: race and poverty status. For each of the categories, the achievement gap in Arkansas is compared to that of bordering states and of the nation as a whole. In Arkansas, there is a racial achievement gap in NAEP reading performance in grade 4 and in grade 8. However, more grade 8 Hispanic students are scoring at the proficient or advanced level in Arkansas (21%) than their peers in the border states (17%) and the nation (18%). Arkansas students classified as FRL-eligible students in both grade 4 and grade 8 are outperforming, or performing as well as their FRL-eligible peers in the border states and across the nation. 4. Achievement Gaps on NAEP Reading 2011 Figure 3.1: NAEP Reading Proficiency Rates for Selected Race/Ethnicities, 2011 Figure 4.2: NAEP Reading Proficiency Rates by Poverty Levels, 2011 18% 18% 17% 21% 19% 18% 38% 41% 37% 35% 42% 38% 48% 44% 40% 41% 48% 46% 6  76%70%60%36%78%72%65% 65%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%Algebra Geometry Literacy Biology2010 2011Table 5.1: Average Composite ACT, 2009-10 Table 5.3: Arkansas Educational Attainment, 1990-2010* In preparation for graduation and postsecondary education, Arkansas students take End-of-Course (EOC) examinations, and most take the ACT. The following section highlights the most recent scores for both EOC and ACT exams and examines NAEP proficiency and college readiness for graduating seniors. Lastly, we examine Arkansans’ overall education levels, comparing them to other states, as well as to earlier years.  5. Secondary and Beyond Table 5.2: ACT College Readiness, 209-1010* Figure 5.3: Comparison of Educational   Attainment Levels, 2010 *Includes states whose participation rate was  within 10 per-centage points of Arkansas. (AL, KS, ND, NE, OK, SD)   Arkansas Similar States* National % Grads Tested 81% 77% 47% Composite 20.3 21.4 21.0 English 20.1 21.0 20.5 Math 19.9 21.0 21.0 Reading 20.6 21.7 21.3 Science 20.2 21.4 20.9   AR % Ready Similar States U.S. &% Ready Cut Score All Four Subjects 18% 24% 24%  English 64% 71% 66% 18 Math 35% 44% 43% 22 Reading 47% 56% 52% 21 Science 23% 31% 29% 24 *Readiness here is defined as  percentage of students scoring high enough to have a 50% chance of getting an A or B in the college subject. The ACT score cutoff for readiness is higher than the score used to place students in remedial courses. Figure 5.2: NAEP: 12th Grade, % Proficient and Advanced, 2010-11   High School Diploma Bachelor’s Degree Advanced Degree 1990 66% 13% 5% 2000 75% 17% 6% 2010 86% 20% 6% Change +20 pts + 7 pts +1 pt *Percentages are given for the population as a whole, not for those in school. These are not graduation rates. Figure 5.1: Arkansas End-of-Course Exams,                 % Proficient and Advanced, 2010-11 16% 15%26%30%26% 25%38% 36%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%2010 2011 2010 2011Math ReadingArkansas US83%20%6%83%15%8%86%28%10%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%HS Graduate Bachelor's Advanced DegreeArkansas Border States US7  Figure 6.2: Real Per Pupil Spending, 2001-2009 (Adjusted for Regional Cost Differences Over Time) Figure 6.1: Average Teacher Salary, 2011-12(Adjusted for Cost of Living) This section concludes with background information about students, teachers, and schools. We include figures on teacher salaries, per-student spending, changes in Arkansas’ school districts, and finally, changes in the demographics of Arkansas students. 6. School and Teacher Characteristics Table 6.1: Teacher Salary Compared to Median Individual Income, 2011* *The important number here is the percentage. It tells how much higher teacher salaries are than personal incomes for the area generally. Figure 6.3: Arkansas School District Numbers and Sizes, 2001 to 2011 $6,390 $8,790 $10,757 $6,592$7,816$9,936$7,376$8,973$11,665$5,000$6,000$7,000$8,000$9,000$10,000$11,000$12,0002000-01 2002-03 2004-05 2006-07 2008-09Arkansas Border States USFigure 6.4: Arkansas Student Racial Composition, 1993-2011 Figure 6.5: Arkansas Student Poverty Status, 1999-2011   Average Teacher Med.  Indiv. Income (Census) Teachers’ % Above  Median Arkansas $51,558  $38,307  35% Border States $55,643  $45,231  23% Southern States $54,429  $45,532  20% United States $55,643  $50,046  11% $51,558$55,643$54,429$52,320$52,803$44,994$49,840$48,872$51,586$54,049$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000144218143122592002202402602803003201200130014001500160017001800190020002001 2005 2007 2009 2011Number of DistrictsAverage District SizeAverage District Size Number of Districts8  Office for Education Policy Office for Education Policy Mission: The Office for Education Policy seeks to be a resource that aids state policymakers, educators, administrators, and other leaders in thoughtful decision-making concerning K-12 education in the state of Arkansas. Office for Education Policy University of Arkansas 211 Graduate Education Building Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: (479) 575-3773 Fax: (479) 575-3196 E-mail: oep@uark.edu www.uark.edu/ua/oep OEP Director: Gary W. Ritter Chief of Staff:  Misty Newcomb Research Associates: Caleb P. Rose James L. Woodworth    Alexandra M. Boyd Gregory F. Michel Charlene A. Reid      Thank you for your interest in the condition of education in Arkansas. Though some of the numbers are different, the trends in the 2011 Arkansas Report card do not differ substantially from those presented in last year’s report. This year’s Report Card highlights a few areas in which Arkansas has seen success and progress, and some in which the state has made little or no progress. We are glad to report a few positives: more Arkansas students are scoring proficient and advanced on the state’s benchmarks; the state’s low-income students are outperforming their peers nationally on the NAEP reading exam; and more Arkansans hold high school and college diplomas than ever before. On the other hand, the state still faces many challenges. On the NAEP, Arkansas still lags the nation at all grade levels, and by a large amount in the 12th grade. Fewer Arkansas students are college ready than the national average. Of special concern is the prominent achievement gap for blacks between 4th and 8th grade. However, these gaps are smaller in Arkansas than they are across the US. We report on Arkansas education as new data become available. Because some data aren’t released every year, we’ve focused this year on issues for which data weren’t available last year. OEP Report Cards should thus be seen as complementing each other. Again, many thanks for reading, and we hope this improves your overall understanding of education in Arkansas. The Director’s Note A document that provides the source for each table can be found at  http://www.uark.edu/ua/oep/report_cards/2011_Report_Card_Sources.pdf If you have any questions about this report, please contact us at oep@uark.edu. 

2011 Report Card on Arkansas Public Schools

UARK (University of Arkansas )

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Education Report Card Office for Education Policy 5-3-2011 2011 Report Card on Arkansas Public Schools Gary Ritter Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepcard  Part of the Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, and the Education Policy Commons Citation Ritter, G. (2011). 2011 Report Card on Arkansas Public Schools. Education Report Card. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/oepcard/12 This Report Card is brought to you for free and open access by the Office for Education Policy at ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Education Report Card by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact scholar@uark.edu. 1  Office for Education Policy 2011 Report Card on Arkansas  Public Schools Sections of this report:          The OEP is pleased to bring you its 2011 Report Card for Arkansas’ public schools highlighting Arkansas’ education performance and characteristics through the 2010-2011 academic year. We hope this report is accessible and informative for educators and policymakers in the state. The charts and figures here are a reflection of the progress we have made as a state in the last decade. They also serve as a reminder that we still need improvement and reform to continue that progress. A few highlights from the report:  More Arkansas students are scoring at proficient or advanced on both the Benchmark and End-of-Course state assessments each year. A general upward trend over the last several years continued into 2011.  Arkansas students continue to achieve at lower levels than their peers nationally on the NAEP, the “Nation’s Report Card”. This gap exists in all subjects across grades 4, 8, and 12.   The achievement gap between black students and non-blacks (including whites and Hispanics) is consistent between 4th and 8th grades, but is  almost universally smaller than the overall US achievement gap as measured by NAEP.  A low percentage of Arkansas students are academically ready for college as measured by the ACT. Students’ college readiness is lower than in nearby states and in the nation.   Arkansas teachers are paid well compared to teachers in nearby states, and compared to the nation as a whole, when regional cost of living is taken into account.  Arkansas students have higher rates of poverty and more students are Hispanic today compared to 15 years ago. Thank you for reading and we hope you enjoy! 1. Standardized Tests 2-4. Achievement Gaps 5. Secondary and Beyond $51,558$55,643$54,429$52,320$52,803$44,994$49,840$48,872$51,586$54,049$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,0006. School and Teacher  Characteristics 77%67%71%77%82%76%76%68%71%74%77%71%57%50%57%47%51%50%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 32005 2010 20110%10%20%30%40%50%60%Arkansas Nearby States US Arkansas Nearby States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedBlack Hispanic White83%20%6%83%15%8%86%28%10%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%HS Graduate Bachelor's AdvancedArkansas Surrounding States US2  1. Performance on Statewide Standardized Assessments T his section highlights overall student performance on the Arkansas Comprehensive Testing Assessment and Accountability Program (ACTAAP), benchmark exams administered in Arkansas. The benchmark exams are the state-developed criterion-referenced assessment administered to students in grades 3 through 8 each year.  In 2011, proficiency rates for math and literacy increased for four of the six grades and stayed the same for one. In both subjects, 7th grade achievement declined from 2010. Figure 1.1: AR Benchmark: Percent Proficient and Advanced in Math, 2005, 2010, & 2011 Figure 1.2: AR Benchmark: Percent Proficient and Advanced in Literacy, 2005, 2010, & 2011 Table 1.1: AR Benchmark: Percent Proficient and Advanced in Grades 4 and 8 State proficiency rates on the benchmark have in-creased since 2007. These gains are generally larger in 4th grade than in 8th grade. Year Grade 4 Grade 8 Math Literacy Math Literacy 2007 65% 59% 48% 63% 2009 78% 70% 61% 71% 2011 82% 82% 63% 77% Change 07-11 +17 pts +23 pts +15 pts +14 pts 77%67%71%77%82%76%76%68%71%74%77%71%57%50%57%47%51%50%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 32005 2010 201163%74%77%78%82%85%63%75%75%74%80%84%33%43%43%41%50%58%0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%Grade 8Grade 7Grade 6Grade 5Grade 4Grade 32005 2010 20113  2. Performance on National Standardized Assessments  T he NAEP, often called “The Nation’s Report Card”, is administered to a representative sample of Arkansas students in grades 4, 8, and 12 every other year. In the most recent administration of the NAEP (Spring 2011), math and reading subtests were given across the nation.   As can be seen in the NAEP graphs, Arkansas’ performance continues to lag behind that of the country as a whole in math and reading.  Figure 2.2: NAEP: Math Proficiency, Grade 8, 1992-2011 Figure 2.3: NAEP: Reading Proficiency, Grade 4, 1992-2011 Figure 2.4: NAEP: Reading Proficiency, Grade 8, 1998-2011 Fewer Arkansas 4th graders are proficient in math and reading than are their peers across the nation. The gap in both subjects has nar-rowed over time, but persists nonetheless. Arkansas’ 8th grade math proficiency rate has gradually approached the national average, while its reading proficiency rate has remained relatively consistent at 5 to 6 points below the national average. 10%13%22%24%27%29%21%26%30%32%34% 35%0%10%20%30%40%1992 2000 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.23%26%30% 29% 29% 30%29%31% 31%33% 33% 34%0%10%20%30%40%1992 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.23%27% 26% 25%27% 28%32% 33% 31% 31% 32%34%0%10%20%30%40%1998 2002 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.Figure 2.1: NAEP: Math Proficiency, Grade 4, 1992-2011 10%13%34% 37% 36% 37%18%24%36%39% 39% 40%0%10%20%30%40%1992 2000 2005 2007 2009 2011Arkansas U.S.4  26% 25% 24%18%38%19%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedFRL Non-FRLFigure 3.2: NAEP Math Proficiency Rates by Poverty Levels, 2011 57% 44% 57% 50% 47% 55% 16% 17% 17%9%14% 14%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedBlack Hispanic WhiteFigure 3.1: NAEP Math Proficiency Rates for Selected Race/Ethnicities, 2011 28% 28% 24% 20% 30% 21% 45% 49% 52% 37% 43% 44% This section of the Report Card highlights differences in NAEP math performance between students in two categories: race and poverty status.  In Arkansas, there is a racial achievement gap in NAEP math performance in grade 4 and in grade 8. However, despite this gap, grade 4 Hispanic students in Arkansas perform as well as their peers in the border states. Further more Hispanic students score at the proficient or advanced level on the NAEP math exam  in Arkansas(28%) as compared with their Hispanic peers nationwide (24%). The opposite is true in grade 8 with only 20% of Arkansas’ Hispanic students scoring at the proficient and advanced level on the NAEP math exam compared with 30% in the border states and 21% nationwide. More grade 4 students eligible for a free or reduced-price lunch (FRL) in Arkansas (26%) are scoring at the proficient or advanced level on the NAEP math exam as compared to the border states (25%) and nation (24%). However, similar to performance by race, the opposite is true among grad 8 students. 3. Achievement Gaps on NAEP Math 2011 Explanation of Charts: The top of each group’s color represents that group’s proficiency rate in reading as measured by the NAEP. This format is possible because gaps occur in the same direction across both grades and all three areas. For example, white students consistently  have higher proficiency rates than Hispanic students, and Hispanic  students have higher rates than black students. The same holds for other graphs: non-poverty students consistently have higher proficiency rates than poverty students.  5  20% 17% 18% 18% 16% 18%0%10%20%30%40%50%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedFRL Non-FRL11%14% 16%9%12% 14%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%Arkansas Border States US Arkansas Border States USGrade 4 Grade 8% Proficient/AdvancedBlack Hispanic WhiteThis section of the Report Card highlights differences in NAEP Reading performance between students in two categories: race and poverty status. For each of the categories, the achievement gap in Arkansas is compared to that of bordering states and of the nation as a whole. In Arkansas, there is a racial achievement gap in NAEP reading performance in grade 4 and in grade 8. However, more grade 8 Hispanic students are scoring at the proficient or advanced level in Arkansas (21%) than their peers in the border states (17%) and the nation (18%). Arkansas students classified as FRL-eligible students in both grade 4 and grade 8 are outperforming, or performing as well as their FRL-eligible peers in the border states and across the nation. 4. Achievement Gaps on NAEP Reading 2011 Figure 3.1: NAEP Reading Proficiency Rates for Selected Race/Ethnicities, 2011 Figure 4.2: NAEP Reading Proficiency Rates by Poverty Levels, 2011 18% 18% 17% 21% 19% 18% 38% 41% 37% 35% 42% 38% 48% 44% 40% 41% 48% 46% 6  76%70%60%36%78%72%65% 65%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%Algebra Geometry Literacy Biology2010 2011Table 5.1: Average Composite ACT, 2009-10 Table 5.3: Arkansas Educational Attainment, 1990-2010* In preparation for graduation and postsecondary education, Arkansas students take End-of-Course (EOC) examinations, and most take the ACT. The following section highlights the most recent scores for both EOC and ACT exams and examines NAEP proficiency and college readiness for graduating seniors. Lastly, we examine Arkansans’ overall education levels, comparing them to other states, as well as to earlier years.  5. Secondary and Beyond Table 5.2: ACT College Readiness, 209-1010* Figure 5.3: Comparison of Educational   Attainment Levels, 2010 *Includes states whose participation rate was  within 10 per-centage points of Arkansas. (AL, KS, ND, NE, OK, SD)   Arkansas Similar States* National % Grads Tested 81% 77% 47% Composite 20.3 21.4 21.0 English 20.1 21.0 20.5 Math 19.9 21.0 21.0 Reading 20.6 21.7 21.3 Science 20.2 21.4 20.9   AR % Ready Similar States U.S. &% Ready Cut Score All Four Subjects 18% 24% 24%  English 64% 71% 66% 18 Math 35% 44% 43% 22 Reading 47% 56% 52% 21 Science 23% 31% 29% 24 *Readiness here is defined as  percentage of students scoring high enough to have a 50% chance of getting an A or B in the college subject. The ACT score cutoff for readiness is higher than the score used to place students in remedial courses. Figure 5.2: NAEP: 12th Grade, % Proficient and Advanced, 2010-11   High School Diploma Bachelor’s Degree Advanced Degree 1990 66% 13% 5% 2000 75% 17% 6% 2010 86% 20% 6% Change +20 pts + 7 pts +1 pt *Percentages are given for the population as a whole, not for those in school. These are not graduation rates. Figure 5.1: Arkansas End-of-Course Exams,                 % Proficient and Advanced, 2010-11 16% 15%26%30%26% 25%38% 36%0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%2010 2011 2010 2011Math ReadingArkansas US83%20%6%83%15%8%86%28%10%0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%HS Graduate Bachelor's Advanced DegreeArkansas Border States US7  Figure 6.2: Real Per Pupil Spending, 2001-2009 (Adjusted for Regional Cost Differences Over Time) Figure 6.1: Average Teacher Salary, 2011-12(Adjusted for Cost of Living) This section concludes with background information about students, teachers, and schools. We include figures on teacher salaries, per-student spending, changes in Arkansas’ school districts, and finally, changes in the demographics of Arkansas students. 6. School and Teacher Characteristics Table 6.1: Teacher Salary Compared to Median Individual Income, 2011* *The important number here is the percentage. It tells how much higher teacher salaries are than personal incomes for the area generally. Figure 6.3: Arkansas School District Numbers and Sizes, 2001 to 2011 $6,390 $8,790 $10,757 $6,592$7,816$9,936$7,376$8,973$11,665$5,000$6,000$7,000$8,000$9,000$10,000$11,000$12,0002000-01 2002-03 2004-05 2006-07 2008-09Arkansas Border States USFigure 6.4: Arkansas Student Racial Composition, 1993-2011 Figure 6.5: Arkansas Student Poverty Status, 1999-2011   Average Teacher Med.  Indiv. Income (Census) Teachers’ % Above  Median Arkansas $51,558  $38,307  35% Border States $55,643  $45,231  23% Southern States $54,429  $45,532  20% United States $55,643  $50,046  11% $51,558$55,643$54,429$52,320$52,803$44,994$49,840$48,872$51,586$54,049$0$10,000$20,000$30,000$40,000$50,000$60,000144218143122592002202402602803003201200130014001500160017001800190020002001 2005 2007 2009 2011Number of DistrictsAverage District SizeAverage District Size Number of Districts8  Office for Education Policy Office for Education Policy Mission: The Office for Education Policy seeks to be a resource that aids state policymakers, educators, administrators, and other leaders in thoughtful decision-making concerning K-12 education in the state of Arkansas. Office for Education Policy University of Arkansas 211 Graduate Education Building Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: (479) 575-3773 Fax: (479) 575-3196 E-mail: oep@uark.edu www.uark.edu/ua/oep OEP Director: Gary W. Ritter Chief of Staff:  Misty Newcomb Research Associates: Caleb P. Rose James L. Woodworth    Alexandra M. Boyd Gregory F. Michel Charlene A. Reid      Thank you for your interest in the condition of education in Arkansas. Though some of the numbers are different, the trends in the 2011 Arkansas Report card do not differ substantially from those presented in last year’s report. This year’s Report Card highlights a few areas in which Arkansas has seen success and progress, and some in which the state has made little or no progress. We are glad to report a few positives: more Arkansas students are scoring proficient and advanced on the state’s benchmarks; the state’s low-income students are outperforming their peers nationally on the NAEP reading exam; and more Arkansans hold high school and college diplomas than ever before. On the other hand, the state still faces many challenges. On the NAEP, Arkansas still lags the nation at all grade levels, and by a large amount in the 12th grade. Fewer Arkansas students are college ready than the national average. Of special concern is the prominent achievement gap for blacks between 4th and 8th grade. However, these gaps are smaller in Arkansas than they are across the US. We report on Arkansas education as new data become available. Because some data aren’t released every year, we’ve focused this year on issues for which data weren’t available last year. OEP Report Cards should thus be seen as complementing each other. Again, many thanks for reading, and we hope this improves your overall understanding of education in Arkansas. The Director’s Note A document that provides the source for each table can be found at  http://www.uark.edu/ua/oep/report_cards/2011_Report_Card_Sources.pdf If you have any questions about this report, please contact us at oep@uark.edu. 

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2011 Report Card on Arkansas Public Schools

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