Texas Science Ranking Drops In “Nation’s Report Card”
A question on the NAEP science test. Photo by Nathan Bernier, KUT NewsAudio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Texas’ national ranking has dropped in a widely watched science test known as “The Nation’s Report Card.”
The National Assessment of Education Progress – or NAEP – tested eighth graders across the country. Out of a score of 300 – Texas was almost dead center with a 153. That was a slight increase over last year, but because other states also showed larger gains, our national ranking dropped from 26th place to 29th place.
“We did have some progress but it wasn’t dramatic,” Texas Education Agency spokesperson Debbie Ratcliff said. “Where we really shined is when you look at the scores by ethnic group, and then all of our major ethnic groups are ranked in the top eight with our African-American eighth graders ranked fourth in the country.”
The test was administered last year, the first time Texas students were taught new science standards adopted by the State Board of Education. Science teachers had received a week of professional development training to prepare for the new curriculum.
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