Research on Students’ Math, Reading and Writing Skills
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When a task is given in school, why does one student take thirty minutes to complete it and another only eight minutes? The U.S. Department of Education, and others indicate that the source of over 80% of learning problems is weak cognitive skills.
That’s right. Over a third of America’s school age children have learning issues and the problem is neither a lack of motivation nor improper instruction.
The National Assessment of Educational Progress1 study, also known as The Nation’s Report Card is a nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do in various subjects.
| WRITING Below Proficient Level |
READING Below Proficient Level |
MATH Below Proficient Level |
 |
 |
 |
| Among All 12th Graders – 2002 |
Among All 4th Graders – 2005 |
Among All 8th Graders – 2005 |
According this study, three-fourths of our high school graduates finish twelfth grade without adequate skills in writing.
Additionally, by the fourth grade, more than two-thirds of the students read below grade level — over one-third of them at or below the second grade reading level! This score, unfortunately, does not improve: in the eighth grade, more than two-thirds of students are still below grade level in reading.
And what about math? By the eighth grade, more than seven out of ten students are performing below acceptable levels.
“Strugglers” in school are not unintelligent nor are they misfits because of intelligence issues. These kids began their school years excited and eager to learn. What is more, they are capable of doing well in the classroom.
From Professional Learning Board’s online continuing education course for teachers: Cognitive Skills – Understanding Learning Challenges
