According to a Tuesday-released report, test results from the 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) indicate that less than half of fourth- and eighth-graders in Minnesota are proficient in science.

Specifically, the NAEP results revealed that only 43 percent of fourth-graders and 40 percent of eighth-graders in Minnesota were either “proficient” or “advanced” in science. The findings were based on a test given by NAEP to a representative sample of 2,700 fourth- and eighth-graders during 2009.

The science proficiency criterion for a fourth-grader required correct identification of environment-friendly grocery bags; and explanation of how forces affect motion, how temperature affects matter, and how environment can affect the growth of plants and animals.

Meanwhile, in eighth-grade science, the proficiency criterion needed a student to identify evidence of chemical changes; interpret a motion graph; and use observations of the Sun, Earth and Moon to explain visible motions in the sky.

Reacting to the “shocking” report, the new state Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius said: “It’s one more piece of evidence that we're leaving too many of our kids behind.” Cassellius added that Minnesota needs to develop “a sense of urgency” about science.

Despite the fact that science proficiency average in Minnesota students was actually higher than the national average, Cassellius said that they were still far from satisfactory.

In fourth grade, states with the highest average scores in were New Hampshire, Virginia and North Dakota; while in the eight grade were North Dakota, South Dakota, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.