State students trail U.S. testing average
By Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell and Canan Tasci/San Bernardino Sun
California's fourth- and eighth-graders fared poorly compared to public school students nationwide, according to the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress science results released Tuesday. Large gaps also remain between the scores of Latino and black students and their white and Asian peers. In California and at the national level, Latino and black students scored about 35 points lower than white and Asian students. "As a science teacher, these results are troubling," said state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. "Despite the enormous efforts being made by educators, we're seeing the consequences of lagging behind other states in investing in education." The National Assessment of Educational Progress tests students in mathematics, reading, science, writing, the arts, civics, economics, geography and U.S. history (more...)