Science Skills

There is a bright spot for Idaho in a federal report released Tuesday that shows the nation's students are falling short when it comes to science proficiency.

Idaho students' scores surpassed the national average, according to the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for science, also known as The Nation's Report Card.

The standardized test assessed fourth- and eighth-grade students in Idaho and other states, measuring their knowledge of physical science, life science, and earth and space science.

The national average science score for both grades was 149. For Idaho fourth-graders, the average was 154. The eighth-grade average score was 158.

"In Idaho, we have worked to ensure our students have access to more opportunities in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and I am pleased to see the progress students are making as a result. Our state's talented teachers and dedicated parents deserve credit for this success," said public schools chief Tom Luna.

"Still, I recognize we have a long way to go before every Idaho student graduates from high school with the skills they need to be prepared for the 21st century so we will continue our work in this direction."

Disappointing overall performance

The national test results portray a sobering bigger picture.

Less than half of U.S. students showed solid academic science performance and competency - just 34 percent of the nation's fourth-graders, 30 percent of eighth-graders, and 21 percent of 12th-graders are performing at or above the proficient level.

Alan Friedman, former director of the New York Hall of Science, and a member of the board that oversees the test, told the Associated Press, "Our ability to create the next generation of U.S. leaders in science and technology is seriously in danger."

The results were gleaned from tests given to nearly 320,000 students, mostly an even split of those in grades four and eight. The test was given to 11,000 high school seniors.

• In fourth grade, 79 percent of Idaho students scored at or above grade level on the NAEP Science, compared to 71 percent nationwide. Students in 12 states scored higher than Idaho's students.

• In eighth grade, 72 percent of Idaho students scored at or above grade level on the NAEP Science, compared to 62 percent nationwide. Students in four states scored higher than Idaho's students.

Less than 1 percent of fourth-grade students in Idaho demonstrated superior, or advanced performance, scoring above the proficiency level. The national percentage was just 1 percent. For Idaho eighth-graders, the percentage of students achieving the advanced level was 2 percent, matching the national percentage.

Why science learning is important

"It's the subject where you can connect all the other subjects," said Anna Wilson, principal of Ramsey Magnet School of Science in Coeur d'Alene.

Ramsey elementary made the switch last year to a magnet school. Magnets are free public schools that offer an enhanced curriculum with a particular focus.

For Ramsey's first-through-fifth-grade students, with the spotlight on science, kids are reading about science topics, and performing related hands-on activities.

First-grade students were studying solids, liquids and gasses this week. With bowls on their desks, they reviewed the speed and motion of objects dropped into liquids.

During their writing lessons, the first-graders penned their observations and conclusions.

Students in the fourth-grade classes were learning about chemical analysis, with a recent lesson in which they compared and analyzed white substances like salt and baby powder. They were then given a mystery substance they had to analyze.

"They're using critical thinking. They're reading and writing all the time," Wilson said.

Math is constantly being taught and applied as well. Kids are making measurements, calculating elapsed time.

The traditional method of teaching elementary school science - reading a text and then being tested on it - is more about teaching study skills than science, Wilson said.

"The really great thing is that it's the one subject that kids are naturally curious about," she said. "It's the world around them."

Other measures to improve science performance

Legislation passed in 2007 boosted the Idaho high school math and science graduation requirement to three years in each subject. The policy affects students graduating in the class of 2013.

Superintendent Luna's proposed education reform package now being considered by state lawmakers includes a provision for the state to provide Idaho school districts with additional funds to recruit and retain high-quality math and science teachers to help meet the graduation requirements.

Working with former astronaut and Boise State Distinguished Educator-in-Residence Barbara Morgan, Luna created the Idaho Science and Aerospace Scholars Program, which gives Idaho high school juniors the unique opportunity to take courses in space exploration and then work side-by-side with NASA scientists at a summer academy.

The Idaho Department of Education has also worked in recent years to increase student opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The department created i-STEM, a coordinated statewide effort by the State Department of Education, Idaho Professional-Technical Education, educators, businesses, and industry to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in kindergarten through 12th grade. The group works to provide more professional development to teachers in the area of STEM education.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.