This photo shows seventh and eighth graders at a school in the San Joaquin Valley of California in May 1940.
Of her 18 eighth graders, 15 exceeded requirements, scoring in the highest bracket.
Over all, 20 percent of fourth graders, 17 percent of eighth graders and 12 percent of high school seniors demonstrated proficiency on the exam, the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
The play is open to all seventh and eighth graders.
