This report provides a listing of scores on the Iowa Tests for each public school in Utah, and it also examines other national tests that allow for direct comparison between states. In these tests, Utah Foundation selected states that are “demographic peers” to Utah – those states with similar levels of student poverty, similar education levels of students’ parents, and similar ethnic profiles.
The report finds that Utah is scoring well below what would be expected for a state with its demographic profile. In math, reading, and science tests for 8th graders, Utah ranked 30th (math), 29th (reading), and 18th (science). But if Utah were in the middle of its demographic peers, it would score in the top 10 nationally in science and in the top 15 states for math and reading. Utah’s closest overall peer states are South Dakota, Montana, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Nebraska. These are generally high-scoring states, and Utah falls behind each of them in each test examined.
Something is limiting Utah’s ability to perform at a level that would be expected for a state with its demographic profile. With per-pupil funding $3,000 lower than its peer-group average, financial limitations are a likely limiting factor.
Read this report: