Figure 4.4. Average science scale scores, by grade and selected race/ethnicity: 1996 and 2000

! Interpret data with caution. NOTE: Accommodations were permitted. Scale score ranges from 0 to 300. For a discussion of the science scale score definitions, see http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/science/scale.asp. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 1996 and 2000 Science Assessments.

NAEP's science assessment measures students' knowledge of earth, physical, and life sciences, as well as their familiarity with ways of knowing and doing science.

On average, American Indian/Alaska Native 4th- grade students scored 140 in 2000-this was not measurably different from their average score in 1996. The scores of American Indian/Alaska Native 8th-graders declined from 148 to 134 during the same period. American Indian/Alaska Native students in the 12th grade scored an average of 145 in 1996 and 139 in 2000. This difference was also not statistically significant.

In 2000, American Indian/Alaska Native students in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades scored lower, on average, than White students. American Indian/Alaska Native 4th-graders scored higher than Blacks and Hispanics. Among 8th- and 12th-graders, American Indians/Alaska Natives scored higher than Blacks, but lower than Asian/Pacific Islanders.

In 2000, American Indians/Alaska Natives across grades had a lower percentage of students "at or above proficient" than Whites, but a higher percentage at this level in the 4th grade than Blacks and Hispanics. American Indians/Alaska Natives also had a lower percentage of students "at or above proficient" than their Asian/Pacific Islander peers in the 8th and 12th grades.

View Table 4.4a

View Table 4.4b