Performance by Student Groups
Student Group Scores
Most student groups with declines in average science scores also declined at the 25th and 75th percentiles
In 2024, average science scores declined compared to 2019 for many reported student groups. In addition to average score declines, scores were lower at the 25th and 75th percentiles in 2024 compared to 2019 for the following groups:
- male and female students;
- students who were identified as economically disadvantaged and students who were not identified as economically disadvantaged;
- students whose parents graduated from high school and students whose parents graduated from college;
- students attending public schools;
- students attending public, noncharter schools;
- students attending schools in suburban locations;
- students attending schools in the South region;
- students who were not identified as students with disabilities; and
- students who were not identified as English learners.
For several student groups with average score declines compared to 2019, scores declined at the 25th percentile, but did not significantly change at the 75th percentile, for the following groups:
- American Indian/Alaska Native, Hispanic, and White students;
- students whose parents did not graduate high school and students whose parents had some education after high school; and
- students attending schools in the Northeast and Midwest regions.
Also, in comparison to 2019:
- The average score and score at the 75th percentile declined for students attending Catholic schools.
- The average score and score at the 75th percentile increased for English learners.
To see trends in average scores and scores at the 25th and 75th percentiles by selected student groups, select the comparison years and click on the student group label below.
Use the NAEP Data Explorer to see scores at all five selected percentiles (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th) for all reported student groups.
Use the NAEP Achievement Gaps Dashboard to explore differences in scores between student groups and how score differences vary by subject, grade, and over time.
Figure Changes in eighth-grade NAEP science average and selected percentile scores between 2019 and 2024, by selected student groups
Student Group Scores by Content Area
Average scores declined in all three science content areas for many student groups compared to 2019
In 2024, the average science score decreased compared to 2019 in all three content areas for many reported student groups. In addition to average score declines, scores also declined at the 25th percentile in all three content areas as follows:
- male and female students;
- students who were identified as economically disadvantaged and students who were not identified as economically disadvantaged;
- students whose parents graduated from high school, students whose parents had some education after high school, and students whose parents graduated from college;
- students attending public schools;
- students attending public, noncharter schools;
- students attending schools in the South region;
- students attending schools in suburban locations;
- students who were not identified as students with disabilities; and
- students who were not identified as English learners.
Most of the student groups listed above also had score declines at the 75th percentile compared to 2019 in one or more science content areas, but the patterns differed by content area as follows:
- There were score declines in Earth and Space Sciences for all listed groups except for students whose parents graduated from high school.
- The scores declined in Life Science for female students, students who were identified as economically disadvantaged, and students attending schools in suburban locations.
- The score declined in Physical Science for female students.
For students attending Catholic schools, the average score in 2024 decreased in all three content areas compared to 2019 while the score at the 25th percentile was lower in one content area — Physical Science.
For one student group — English learners, the average score and score at the 75th percentile increased in Physical Science and in Life Science in 2024 compared to 2019.
Use the drop-down menu to select a content area, focal year, comparison year, and student group to see changes in the average score and scores at the 25th and 75th percentiles between selected years for the selected student group.
Figure Changes in eighth-grade NAEP science average and selected percentile scores in Physical Science content area between 2019 and 2024, by selected student groups
Student Group Score Distributions
The NAEP average scale score indicates overall student group performance, while the score distribution indicates the range of scale scores within a student group. NAEP assessment results show a wide distribution of scores within most student groups. Comparisons of score distributions between student groups can show the high degree of overlap in performance, even between groups with significant average score differences.
For example, the chart below shows the distribution of scores along the NAEP science scale for eighth-grade students who were identified as having high, middle, or low socioeconomic status (SES), as measured using the NAEP SES Index. Looking at the distribution of science scores by students’ SES index categories shows the following:
- A larger percentage of students who were identified as having high SES scored above the average score for all students compared to students who were identified as having middle or low SES.
- A larger percentage of students who were identified as having middle SES scored above the average score for all students compared to students who were identified as having low SES.
Use the drop-down menu below to view the percentage distribution of scores along the NAEP science scale for selected student groups.
Figure Score distribution in eighth-grade NAEP science by NAEP SES index (3 components): 2024
Group Population Percentages
Demographic changes in student populations
Compared to the previous assessment year in 2019, the percentages of eighth-grade students have changed for some student groups. For example, in 2024, the percentage of White students decreased, and the percentage of Hispanic students increased. The percentage of students who were identified as students with disabilities was higher in 2024 compared to 2019 as was the percentage of English learners.
Select a student group from the drop-down menu to view changes in the percentage of students for that group over time.
Table Percentage distribution of students in eighth-grade NAEP science, by race/ethnicity and assessment year
| Year | American Indian/Alaska Native | Asian | Asian/Pacific Islander | Black | Hispanic | Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | Two or More Races | White |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||
| 2011 | ||||||||
| 2009 |