Lack of emphasis on science may hurt Nevada test scores

Terry Webster

Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001 | 10:42 a.m.

A lack of emphasis on science in the lower and middle grades may be contributing to Nevada's mediocre national showing on standardized science tests, the state schools superintendent said today.

Twelfth-grade students throughout the country who took the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress test scored, on average, three points lower than students taking the test in 1996.

About 46,000 students in 40 states took tests used for the national survey.

The average scale score for Nevada fourth graders on the exam was 142, compared to 148 for the rest of the nation. Eighth graders also fell short, posting an average scale score of 143, while the national average was 149.

Nevada "has a lot of work to do," said Jack McLaughlin, superintendent for public instruction.

For starters, science questions on state exams from last year are being used to cue teachers in the areas they need to work on, McLaughlin said.

"We're looking at those results and giving them back to school districts so they can develop a curriculum to help students in grades kindergarten through 12," he said. "Scores are one thing. We want the students to have the knowledge."

McLaughlin added that elementary schools traditionally have not emphasized science and that is where the preparation needs to begin.

Other states, he said, have trained teachers in science basics in grades kindergarten through 12.

"We need to try something like that here," he said.

Science instruction also is lacking at the middle school level, he said.

In Clark County, for example, middle school students have science for only part of the school year.

Yet by 2005, the state intends to require science as part of the high school proficiency exam, a graduation requirement. A pilot science exam was given to high school students this fall, but results are not yet back.

The NAEP results, called the nation's report card, determined that only one in five high school seniors has a good understanding of science. Only one-half of the nation's seniors were able to explain basic scientific principles.

Clark County's goal is that all students be given access to "high-quality, hands-on, inquiry-based science instruction," according to Superintendent Carlos Garcia.

By 2003, Garcia wants to see a 10 percent increase in student enrollment in higher-level science classes. By 2004 through 2011, the target is a 15 percent increase.

Nevada education officials have said the biggest obstacle in raising student performance -- not just in science, but in all areas -- is lack of needed funding for more programs and teacher training.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.