The American Electronics Association released the latest in a series of competitiveness reports on Tuesday. Some highlights:

▪ In 2007, only 39 percent of fourth graders and 31 percent of eighth graders tested at or above proficient, according to the Department of Education.
▪ From 1996 to 2005, the number of fourth graders testing at or above proficient increased by only one percentage point and over the same period, science proficiency of eighth graders did not improve.
▪ Massachusetts ranked first in the nation in both fourth and eighth grade math proficiency in 2007.
▪ North Dakota ranked first in the nation for eighth grade science in 2005, the most recent data available.

The findings show math and science proficiency among both groups remains unacceptably low, AeA said. "These skills need to be developed at the K-12 level or students will lack the foundation to pursue math, science, and engineering degrees in college," AeA research director Josh James said. "In a world that is increasingly being driven by technology, these skills are going to continue to be in high demand regardless of the field of study."