Youth Indicators 1996 / Indicator 36, Chart 1

Indicator 36. Science Proficiency

Science proficiency of 13- and 17-year-olds, by race/ethnicity: 1977 to 1992

NOTE: NAEP scores range from 0 to 500.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress, NAEP 1992 Trends in Academic Progress.

Between 1977 and 1992, the average proficiency of 13-year-olds and 17-year-olds increased significantly. Very large differences among the racial/ethnic groups persisted through 1992 with white 13-year-olds scoring as high or higher than black and Hispanic 17-year-olds. Higher levels of parental education were strongly correlated with higher science performance.