White eighth-graders scored higher on average than other racial/ethnic groups. Asian/Pacific Islander students scored higher than the remaining three racial/ethnic groups.
Because of the recent changes to the assessment, the results from 2009 cannot be compared to those from previous assessment years. To establish the baseline for future science assessments, the overall average score for each grade was set at 150 on a 0 to 300 scale. Find out more about the new framework and what the assessment measures.
Read specific descriptions of what eighth-graders should know and be able to do at the Basic, Proficient, and Advanced science achievement levels.
Read more information on how to interpret NAEP science results, including how each student group is defined.