Study Shows Hands-On Science Application Yields Gains in 8th Graders' Performance

According to The Washington Post, the recently-released Nation's Report Card, based upon the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress, shows a slight gain for US 8th graders in science attainment.  Private school students out-performed those in public schools; students who regularly reported participating in hands-on science projects in class also scored higher than those who did so less frequently.  Boys also performed better than girls, continuing a trend from 2009 results.  Students of color made slightly greater gains than did white students.  Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hailed the results, while at the same time acknowledging that the US still has far to go.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/education/national-science-test-shows-only-slight-improvement/2012/05/09/gIQAh8TyDU_story.html

For a more optimistic op-ed piece on the results, visit http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/forum/story/2012-06-03/science-math-education-us-schools/55363868/1.