North dakota student test scores
North Dakotans have always prided themselves on the quality of education the state provides for its children. Rightfully so. In 2005, ND ranked 3rd in the nation for mathematics with a score of 287 (the national average was 278). Even with that accomplishment however, emerging trends are sobering. In the same round of 2005 statewide testing, only 74% of North Dakota students tested as “proficient” in reading and only 67% were ranked “proficient” in math. Forty three (43) schools in North Dakota did not make adequate yearly progress toward improving student performance in these subjects.

The question is why are trends declining? The issues are many. The proposed solutions as varied as North Dakota’s terrain and the climate.