Austin Business Journal
Published: 08-27-08
A national assessment of students’ math and science scores points toward a knowledge deficit that could worsen the country’s ability to produce skilled workers.
At 40 percent Texas 4th grade students ranked just above the national average in math compared to 33 percent in 2003 while 8th grade students in the state scored higher than the U.S. average at 35 percent.
But in science Texas students ranked below the national average with only 25 percent of 4th grade and 23 percent of 8th grade students at or above the proficient level.
According to a report issued Tuesday by the American Electronics Association only 39 percent of 4th graders and 31 percent of 8th graders tested at or above the proficient level in math in 2007.
Between 1996-2005 the number of 4th grade students testing at or above proficient in science increased by only 1 percent while the science proficiency of 8th graders did not improve.
Massachusetts leads the country with 58 percent of 4th grade students and 51 percent of 8th grade students reaching the proficient level in math. New Mexico and Mississippi rank at the bottom of the scale.
The statistics were compiled by the Department of Education’s National Assessment of Educational Progress.
“America’s ability to compete in the 21st century global economy depends in large part on the math and science skills of our workforce” says Josh James AeA’s director of research and industry analysis.
“Yet the latest results show that math and science proficiency among 4th and 8th graders remains unacceptably low. And 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.”
