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How proficient are U.S. 8th graders in math and science in each state?

Public school students reaching proficiency in 8th grade math, by state: 2011
Public school students reaching proficiency in 8th grade science, by state: 2011
Notes:
NAEP = National Assessment of Educational Progress (The Nation's Report Card)
Notes:
NAEP = National Assessment of Educational Progress (The Nation's Report Card)

In 2011, 34% of 8th grade public school students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in math, a sizeable increase from 27% in 2003.

Among the states, there were sizable differences in the percentage of 8th grade public school students scoring at or above the proficient level on the NAEP science assessment, from 19% in Alabama and Mississippi to 45% in North Dakota.

Key Observations

  • Of the 51 jurisdictions that participated in both the 2003 and 2011 NAEP assessments, 43 showed increases in math proficiency among public school 8th graders during the period. Only 25 showed a significant increase from 2007 to 2011.
  • Only Massachusetts had more than half of its students scoring at or above the proficient level in math.
  • Most states had less than 40% of 8th grade students performing at or above the proficient level in science.
See how states compare on a variety of science and engineering measures:
STEM Education Data and Trends 2014
The National Science Board
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