How proficient are U.S. 8^th graders in math and science in each state?

In 2011, 34% of 8^th grade public school students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in math, a sizeable increase from 27% in 2003.

Among the states, there were sizable differences in the percentage of 8^th grade public school students scoring at or above the proficient level on the NAEP science assessment, from 19% in Alabama and Mississippi to 45% in North Dakota.

• Of the 51 jurisdictions that participated in both the 2003 and 2011 NAEP assessments, 43 showed increases in math proficiency among public school 8^th graders during the period. Only 25 showed a significant increase from 2007 to 2011.
• Only Massachusetts had more than half of its students scoring at or above the proficient level in math.

• Most states had less than 40% of 8^th grade students performing at or above the proficient level in science.