In 2009, graduates completing a rigorous or midlevel curriculum earned higher average NAEP science scores than graduates completing a less challenging curriculum.
Average NAEP science scores, by curriculum level: 2009
| Average NAEP science score |
Standard error |
|---|
| Below standard |
141 |
|
(1.6) |
|---|
| Standard |
142 |
* |
(1.7) |
|---|
| Midlevel |
153 |
* |
(1.0) |
|---|
| Rigorous |
182 |
|
(1.6) |
|---|
* Significantly different (p<.05) from next highest curriculum level.
NOTE: No data for 2005 is included because the science Framework was revised in 2009 and the results cannot be compared to those from previous assessments.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, High School Transcript Study (HSTS), 2009; National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2009 Science Assessment.