Male and Female Students Make Gains Since 2000 at Grade 4; Males Outperform Females at all Three Grades in 2005

• Both male and female students at grade 4 made gains since 2000. In addition, the percentages of both male and female students performing at or above Basic in 2005 were higher than in previous assessment years. 
• While eighth-grade male and female students' average science scores were not significantly different in 2005 than in previous assessment years, the percentage of male students performing at or above Proficient decreased from 34 percent in 2000 to 32 percent in 2005.
• Average scores for male and female twelfth-graders were lower in 2005 than in 1996. The percentages of male students performing at or above Basic and at or above Proficient were lower in 2005 than in 1996.