Reading Scores Hold Steady On Nationwide Test

Reading scores for fourth and eighth grade students held mostly steady last year, with improvements seen in a handful of states and among low-income students.

Scores on the National Assessment of Education Progress rose in two states in grade four and in nine states for grade eight in 2009. Overall, the fourth-grade average remained unchanged while eighth graders rose one point.

The average score of fourth-grade students declined in four states: Alaska, Iowa, New Mexico and Wyoming.