Kindergarten-entry math and reading scores were mostly flat 2010-2014 then slightly declined by 2017, with median math down about 0.24 SD and reading down 0.14 SD¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2019 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person · overdue for a recheck since 2024: baselines and conditions change

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Median math scores at kindergarten entry dropped approximately four RIT points (0.24 SDs) and median reading scores dropped two RIT points (0.14 SD) between 2010 and 2017, with scores slightly lower at all five selected percentiles in 2017 than 2010. → Kuhfeld 2019

Evidence¶

Kuhfeld 2019¶

Kuhfeld, Megan, Soland, James, Pitts, Christine, & Burchinal, Margaret. (2019). Trends in Children's Academic Skills at School Entry: 2010 to 2017. EdWorkingPaper No. 19-137, Annenberg Institute at Brown University. http://www.edworkingpapers.com/ai19-137

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Descriptive analysis of weighted fall MAP Growth K-2 scores from over two million kindergarteners entering school 2010-2017, reported by percentile. The study finds "the median math score has dropped approximately four RIT points" and reading dropped two RIT points, with similar declines across the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles.

"In total, the median math score has dropped approximately four RIT points, which corresponds to 0.24 standard deviations (SDs), and the median reading score has dropped two RIT points (0.14 SD) during the 8-year time span."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Female kindergarteners outscore males in math and reading at entry; the reading gap was stable while the small math gap narrowed slightly — related
• Achievement gaps between high-poverty and low-poverty schools at kindergarten entry narrowed modestly but significantly between 2010 and 2017 — related
• Black-White and Hispanic-White achievement gaps at kindergarten entry narrowed significantly between 2010 and 2017 in both math and reading — related
• District pre-K enrollment was not associated with kindergarten-entry achievement levels or with districts' achievement trends over time — related
• Controlling for school poverty greatly reduces but does not eliminate racial/ethnic gaps at kindergarten entry — related
• Kindergarteners in 2017 had moderately lower math and reading skills at school entry than kindergarteners in 2010 — a broader claim this one bears on
• Children's academic achievement at kindergarten entry has declined, per the article's abstract — possibly the same claim (merge candidate)