Fourth Grade:

• There was no measurable difference detected in the average science performance of U.S. fourth-graders between 1995 and 2003 (table 10 and table C13 in appendix C). Fourth-graders in two other countries also showed no measurable change in science performance over the same time period.

• Fourth-graders in nine of the 15 participating countries showed an increase in average science achievement scores between 1995 and 2003: Cyprus, England, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iran, Latvia-LSS, New Zealand, Singapore, and Slovenia (table 10). Fourth-graders in three countries—Japan, Norway, and Scotland—experienced a decrease in average science achievement scores over the same period.

Eighth Grade:

• In 2003, U.S. eighth-graders improved in science compared to 1995 and 1999. U.S. eighth-graders scored 527, on average, in science in 2003, which was 12 score points higher than in 1999 and 14 score points higher than in 1995 (table 11 and table C14 in appendix C). The data indicate that the increase in average science performance in the United States occurred primarily between 1999 and 2003.

• Eighth-graders in 12 other countries demonstrated a significant increase in their average science achievement between 1995 and 2003 or between 1999 and 2003: Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Latvia-LSS, Lithuania, Malaysia, Moldova, Morocco, the Philippines, and Slovenia (table 11).

• Eighth-graders in 11 countries showed significant declines in their average science achievement between 1995 and 2003 or between 1999 and 2003 (table 11). The remaining 11 countries showed no measurable difference in the average mathematics scores of their students between 1995 and 2003, or between 1999 and 2003 (table 11).