Science Tests: Minorities Lag Behind

Science Tests: Minorities Lag Behind

The latest results of the National Assessment of Educational Achievement test for science shows a large gap between white students and minorities, according to data released by the Rhode Island Department of Education yesterday.

According to the data, 86 percent of white students in the fourth grade scored “basic or above” in science while only 46 percent of black students and 44 percent of Hispanics scored the same. On the eighth grade test, 76 percent of Hispanics scored below basic—well below the national rate of 59 percent of Hispanics—putting Rhode Island at the bottom of the country.

Large gaps of 30 percentage points separated students with disabilities and those without. Likewise, students in poverty were about 30 points behind those who were not, in both the fourth and eighth grades.

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“We are very troubled by these persistent achievement gaps, which we have seen in the NECAP as well as the NAEP assessments,” said Robert G. Flanders, Jr., Esq., Chairman of the Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education. “As we work to transform education in Rhode Island, it is essential that we accelerate learning for all students so that achievement levels increase and these achievement gaps cease to exist.”

Overall, 74 percent of fourth graders were at or above basic—3 points above the national average—while 59 percent of eighth graders were basic or higher—3 points below the national average.

“The NAEP science results are further evidence that the need to transform our schools is urgent,” said Deborah A. Gist, Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. “With support from Race to the Top funds, we are expanding our curriculum work and professional-development initiatives across Rhode Island so that all educators have the resources and knowledge they need to teach science effectively. We have to ensure that all of our students receive a world-class education, including high-quality, hands-on, experience-based learning in the sciences and technology.”

Students in the fourth and eighth grades took the NAEP from January through March of 2009. The test covers the physical, life, earth, and space sciences.

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