The Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has announced that Arizona’s eighth-grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Science scores were statistically level from 2009 to 2011, but that important efforts are under way to increase students’ learning in science.
The 2011 NAEP scores are based on the 2009 NAEP Science Framework. Arizona eighth-grade students maintained their achievement level in the overall average scale score from 2009 to 2011.
The average scale score for Arizona eighth-grade students was 144, while the national average was 151.
However, Arizona eighth-grade students eligible for the National School Lunch Program showed a statistically significant gain of four scale points from 2009 to 2011.
In partnership with 25 other states, Arizona is developing the Next Generation Science Standards. These rigorous new science standards will be internationally competitive. Arizona’s adoption of College- and Career-Ready Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics will also play a large role in increasing student academic achievement.
A full report of the 2011 NAEP Science Results is available at www.nces.gov/nationsreportcard.
