However, the gap in scores between high and lower income groups of students is widening. Science This was the baseline year for science. Two forms of the science assessment were given at each grade level and statistically equated so that scores are comparable on the two forms. More than 21 percent of students met the individual level Standard of Excellence in science at grade 5. In grade 8, more than 13 percent of students met the Standard of Excellent, while more than 16 percent of the 10th graders met the Standard of Excellence.
Males consistently outscore females on objective science items at all grade levels.
Females outscore males on projects. Ethnic group differences are apparent on all subscales and grade levels in science with many differences between the highest and lowest scoring groups being sizable. Students from lower income groups score lower in science than students from higher income groups. Differences in science scores for district enrollment groups are generally small. Students in smaller districts do better than students in larger ones at all grade levels.