Get out a number two pencil.

Sound familiar?

Sounds like you're about to take one of those standardized tests.

Well, here's some good news.

You won't be tested on this news story.

But if President Bush gets his way, the nation's 4th and 8th graders will continue to be tested every year.

Those tests are conducted under the terms of the President's "No Child Left Behind" law.

This past school year, 700,000 students across the country took the National Assessment of Educational Progress tests tests designed to determine if those students are working up to grade-level in English and Math. And this week, the results were released.

The latest scores indicate significant progress in math scores among both 4th and 8th graders since the law took effect in 2002. In fact, the folks who tabulate the test scores say the average math score for 4th graders is the highest it's been since 1990.

But progress in improving reading scores has been much less impressive, and according to the test results, 8th graders have actually gone backwards slightly when it comes to reading proficiency.

The results also indicate that the "minority gap" the gap in average test scores between white students and black and Hispanic students is narrowing. But white students' test scores still remain significantly higher.

Still, President Bush said this week the test results are "outstanding." He says they show "No Child Left Behind" is working.

Some critics say the law has put too much emphasis on teaching for tests as opposed to teaching for actual learning. Some also says the nation's schools were making more progress before "No Child Left Behind" was enacted.

Some of those critics are in Congress. And on Wednesday, in a speech at a public school in New York City, Mr. Bush had a message for them.

"My call to Congress is, don't water down this good law. Don't go backwards when it comes to educational excellence. Don't roll back accountability. We've come too far to turn back."

Some critics have complained that "No Child Left Behind" gives too much control over schools to the federal government. On Wednesday, the President talked about giving local leaders more flexibility. He also talked about giving students more access to tutoring; strengthening math and science education; expanding access to advanced placement courses; and rewarding teachers who improve achievement at low-income schools.

"We must ensure that (children) have the skills they need to succeed in life, and in a global economy that becomes even more important," the President said.

Educators will now try to figure out why reading scores have not improved faster, and why 8th graders seem to be backsliding as a whole.

The bottom line: if you can't read, you can't succeed.

"Until all students can read at a (higher) level, many will be barred from full participation, not only in education, but also in the wider experiences of life," said Amanda Avallone, vice chairman of the National Assessment Governing Board, in an interview with the Washington Post.

"There's nothing more American than ensuring that all our children have the chance to realize their fullest potential and their highest dreams," Mr. Bush said Wednesday.