Bay State 8th-graders rank 3d in national writing test

By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff

Massachusetts eighth-graders ranked third in a 2007 national writing assessment, but almost twice as many girls as boys scored at or above proficient levels in the state, according to a report released today.

While the state's top educators expressed satisfaction with the Commonwealth's overall results, they voiced concern about the widening gender gap, an issue that has been given much focus in recent years as studies reveal that girls have been outpacing boys in other areas of academics.

"I'm happy to see that once again Massachusetts is at the head of the pack, but the performance gaps reflected in this report are of deep concern,'' said Paul Reville, chairman of the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

According to the report by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Massachusetts eighth-graders scored an average of 167 on the writing assessment, higher than the national average of 154. But 60 percent of girls scored at or above proficient, compared to 32 percent of boys. The gender gap is reflected in the national average as well, as 41 percent of girls scored at or above proficient compared to 20 percent of boys.

Connecticut and New Jersey ranked first and second in the 2007 results. In 2002, the last time testing was conducted, Massachusetts eighth-graders tied for first with Connecticut, Vermont, and Ohio.

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