Posted at 9:51 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Island science scores increase
Associated Press
But Hawai'i's average scores remained below the national average of the 37 participating states, according to The Nation's Report Card.
The average score for Hawai'i's fourth-graders went from 136 in 2000 to 142 in 2005, while the national average rose from 145 to 149.
In 2005, 57 percent of island fourth-graders were at or above a basic level of understanding of science, compared with 51 percent in 2000. The national rate went up from 61 percent to 66 percent. Those at or above proficiency in Hawai'i went from 16 percent to 19 percent, while the national rate inched up from 26 percent to 27 percent.
Only 1 percent of island fourth-grade students were ranked advanced in science in 2000 and again in 2005, compared with the national rate of 3 percent and 2 percent, respectively.
Among eighth-graders, Hawai'i's average score went from 135 in 1996 down to 130 in 2000 and then up to 136 in 2005, as the national average stayed steady at 148 in 1996 and 2000 before falling to 147 in 2005.
Island eighth-grade students considered at or above basic understanding went from 42 percent to 40 percent to 44 percent, while the national rate began at 60 percent and then fell to 57 percent in 2000 and 2005.
Those island eighth-graders considered at or above proficiency held fairly steady — 15 percent, 14 percent and 15 percent — as did the national rate — 27 percent, 29 percent and 27 percent. Only 1 percent of Hawai'i's eighth-graders were rated advanced all three testing years, while the national rate went from 3 percent to 4 percent before dropping back down to 3 percent.
