Detroit Public Schools reading scores at the bottom

The Detroit News reports:

Detroit Public Schools students registered historically low scores again on a national test -- this time in reading -- prompting cries for change from parents, educators and government leaders.

The district's fourth- and eighth-graders trailed 17 other large cities that participated in the National Assessment of Educational Progress Trial Urban District Assessment, administered between January and March 2009.

Among Detroit fourth-graders, 73 percent scored below the "basic" level on the NAEP reading test, meaning they lack the basic skills that are the building blocks of reading. The test showed 22 percent of students are at the basic level, with just 5 percent scoring "proficient." Less than 1 percent of students scored at the advanced level.

Great moments in public education.