Friday, February 10, 2012

U.S. Math, Science Scores Lagging

August 26, 2008

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."

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Juliana Gruenwald

Tech Writer

E-Mail: jgruenwald@nationaljournal.com.


Juliana Gruenwald has been covering tech and telecom issues for more than a decade for National Journal, Interactive Week, BNA and Congressional Quarterly. This is her second stint with National Journal. She was recruited by NJ in 1998 to help launch its first tech policy publication, Technology Daily. She left in 2000 to cover international tech and telecom issues for Ziff Davis Media's Interactive Week magazine. She started her career at United Press International as the wire service's first Helen Thomas Intern. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. A Minneapolis native, she misses the lakes but not the cold.


Josh Smith

Tech Reporter

E-Mail: joshsmith@nationaljournal.com.


Josh Smith covers technology policy as a staff reporter for National Journal. He previously interned at National Journal Daily, a Senate press office, and the Deseret News in Salt Lake City where he covered the state legislature, courts, and crime. In 2009 he graduated with honors from Southern Utah University after managing an award-winning student newspaper as editor-in-chief. Josh has received state, regional and national awards for his political and policy reporting, including first place in CapitolBeat’s 2009 Best of Statehouse Reporting college competition. A native of drop-dead-gorgeous Utah, Josh lives in Virginia with his wife, Amber.