More Resources Nation's Report Card: Science 2005

The 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (Nation's Report Card) in Science results were announced today. Secretary Spellings issued the following statement:

The Science 2005 Report contains some encouraging news for our students and schools. It provides further evidence that accountability and assessments are working to raise achievement levels, even in subjects not directly tested under the No Child Left Behind Act [NCLB]. Fourth-graders made significant improvements in science over 1996 and 2000 levels, with the lowest-performing students making the largest gains and achievement gaps narrowing. However, eighth-graders showed no significant gains. And among 12th-graders, scores declined.

The results illustrate the need to introduce NCLB's accountability principles to our nation's high schools. Studies show that more than half of all graduates leave high school unprepared for college-level math and science coursework. We must act quickly to protect another generation from this fate.

The Report also underscores the vital importance of reading and mathematics. Gains made in these foundational subjects have a positive impact across the academic spectrum. As we work with states to add science assessments in the 2007-08 school year, we will not let up in our effort to bring all students up to grade level in reading and math.

As the President has noted, strong science skills are vital to success in the 21st century global economy. But much more work remains to be done. The answer is more accountability, not less.

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