In large cities around the country, the number of middle-income eighth graders passing the reading exams rose from 31% to 40%.

Similar results were seen on the reading exam.

For the first time, the school system broke down results of the reading exams by ethnicity.

A more encouraging 61 percent passed the reading exam on the first try.

With the last national reading exam given only in February 2002, few expected to see significant differences in scores.

He is repeating the grade because he failed the standardized reading exam given after summer school.

The program is to help first, second, third and fourth graders prepare for new rigorous reading exams that state education officials now require.

And 54.3 percent of fourth graders met standards on the reading exam, compared with 22.2 percent in 1999.

But among eighth graders, the passing rate on the reading exam was 74.4 percent.

"I eat, sleep and drink that baby," she said of the reading exam, which eighth graders take in January.