How proficient are U.S. 4^th graders in math and science in each state?

In 2011, 40% of 4^th grade public school students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in math, an increase from 31% in 2003.

In 2009, 32% of 4^th grade public school students nationwide performed at or above the proficient level in science on the NAEP assessment.

• Of the 51 jurisdictions that participated in both the 2003 and 2011 NAEP assessments, 50 showed significant increases in the percentage of public school 4^th graders scoring at or above the proficient level in math over the period.
• Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and New Jersey were the only states to have more than half of their public school 4^th graders reach the proficient level in math.

• Among the states, there were significant differences in the percentage of 4^th grade public school students who demonstrated proficiency in science, from 17% in Mississippi to 47% in New Hampshire.
• Northern states tended to have the higher percentage of 4^th grade students scoring at or above proficiency in science.