Associated Press May 25, 2006

State Scores Decline Slightly on National Science Exams

Hoosiers in fourth, eighth grades still top nationwide average

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana's top education leader on Wednesday called for a review of science instruction after the results of a national science test showed state scores sagging.

Suellen Reed, the state superintendent for public instruction, said educators should study the scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress and create ways to address weaknesses.

"A strong understanding of the sciences is key to our students' education and our economic competitiveness as a state, so clearly these results are cause for concern," Reed said. "This should send a clear signal to Indiana schools that there is a need to re-examine and refocus our efforts in the classroom with respect to science."

Average science scores for Indiana students in both fourth and eighth grade were lower in 2005 than 2000, and a lower percentage of students met basic science achievement levels, the report showed.

Indiana, Alabama, Arizona and Nevada were the only states with a significant drop in average eighth-grade scores.

A national sample of more than 300,000 students took the test in 2005, including about 2,700 Indiana students in each grade level.

It is considered the best measure of how students perform over time and of how one state stacks up against another, although six states did not participate in the voluntary test.

Indiana's average scores for fourth graders, on a scale of 0 to 300, were 154 in 2000 and 152 in 2005. That slight decline was not a significant drop, the report said. About 74 percent of students were at or above basic achievement level in 2000, while 70 percent of students were at that level in 2005.

Meanwhile, eighth graders averaged a score of 154 in 2000, which fell to 150 in 2005. About 66 percent of students were at or above basic level in 2000, but that number dropped to 62 percent in 2005.

Reed pointed out that Indiana's average fourth-grade score of 152 is three points above the national average of 149, and the state's eighth-grade score of 150 is higher than the national average of 147. But improvement is needed, she said.

"We know Indiana has set rigorous standards in what we expect our students to know and be able to do in science," Reed said. "Unfortunately, the trend in performance is moving in the opposite direction of what we would expect to see."

Reed noted Indiana will soon start several programs that could help improve science education.

Biology I will be a required course for all high school students beginning this fall. Also, high schools are eliminating low-level science classes and adding advanced life science courses.

The state also is planning a program this summer with Purdue University's Science Outreach Program to provide professional development for elementary teachers on standards-based science content.

State-level results were not available for 12th graders, but the report card did track average scores by region.

The Midwest beat all other regions with an average score of 154, compared to scores of 149 in the Northeast, 145 in the West and 143 in the South.

Test results

A look at Indiana's scores on the 2005 science test from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a federal test given periodically in a range of topics.

FOURTH GRADE:

2000 average score: 154

2005 average score: 152

Students at or above basic achievement level in 2000: 74 percent

Students at or above basic achievement level in 2005: 70 percent

EIGHTH GRADE:

2000 average score: 154

2005 average score: 150

Students at or above basic achievement level in 2000: 66 percent

Students at or above basic achievement level in 2005: 62 percent