Proficiency Up For Elementary Reading, Math

West Virginia and Ohio elementary students showed gains in reading and mathematics proficiency from 2004 to 2007.

The Center for Educational Policy's report released Tuesday said 83 percent of West Virginia fourth-graders tested were proficient in reading last year, compared to 73 percent in 2004.

In grade 8, the proficiency level was unchanged at 80 percent, and 10th-grade proficiency dropped from 77 percent to 75 percent.

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In math, 79 percent of West Virginia fourth-graders were proficient at math in 2007, up from 69 percent in 2003. Among eighth-graders, 72 percent were proficient, up from 69 percent; 68 percent of 10th-graders were proficient at math, up from 64 percent.

In Ohio, the CEP found that scores went up in everything except middle and high school reading, a trend being seen across the country.

The study's authors said more schools are focusing on math and reading, but said that's not always a good thing because it means less time spent on other subjects.