Tallahassee, FL- The Sunshine State continues to be cited for its leadership in improving education. Education Next, a scholarly journal published by the Hoover Institution and the Harvard Kennedy School, released a report ranking Florida second in the nation for education test-score gains.

“Achievement Growth: International and U.S. State Trends in Student Performance,” by Eric A. Hanushek, Paul E. Peterson and Ludger Woessmann, examines international and state trends in student achievement growth using National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math, reading and science data from 1992 to 2011. While Maryland had the steepest growth, the large and diverse Sunshine State came in second place for test-score improvement.

We'd like to extend thanks and congratulations to Florida’s students and teachers for their hard work and for continuing to exceed expectations amid higher standards and improved accountability over the years. Following rigorous academic standards, standardized measurement, data-based accountability, effective teaching, outcome-based funding and school choice, Florida has seen a dramatic turnaround in student achievement.

In the Achievement Growth study, the United States as a whole ranks 25th out of 49 countries in student test-score gains, verifying what we already know – improvements are still needed to help close the international achievement gap. We’re on the right path, and Florida must continue to lead by example. Read the abridged version of the report at EducationNext.org, or explore the site’s interactive map of the states’ annual gains.