Science Is Hard

by Liz Colville

Young Americans who excel at science are few and far between, according to new test results of fourth graders and high school seniors. You may not find this surprising, but the actual numbers are depressing: yes, many students performed at average or just above average levels, receiving marks that qualify as “proficient,” but, according to the government:

Only one or two students out of every 100 displayed the level of science mastery that the department defines as advanced.

Now, more important, who did the best? Kidding, but I’ll tell you: New Hampshire. Montana’s eighth graders also did very well. The worst-performing state was Mississippi. So now you know where to move to raise your children. And children, if you still want to be a doctor, there’s always this option.