Nation's Report Card Home

Summary of Major Findings


A representative sample of 122,000 eighth-graders participated in the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) science assessment, which is designed to measure students' knowledge and abilities in the areas of physical science, life science, and Earth and space sciences. Results from the 2011 assessment are available for public and private school students in the nation and for public school students in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense schools.

National Results
State Results
Change in average scale scores from 2009 and 2011 for grade 8

See complete data for all students, race/ethnicity, and eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch.

NOTE: Detail may not sum to total for percent distribution of racial/ethnic and National School Lunch program categories. Black includes African American, Hispanic includes Latino, and Pacific Islander includes Native Hawaiian. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin. Prior to 2011, students in the "two or more races" category were categorized as "unclassified." DoDEA=Department of Defense Education Activity (overseas and domestic schools). Alaska, the District of Columbia, Kansas, Nebraska, and Vermont did not participate at the state level in 2009. SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2009 and 2011 Science Assessments.