SC 8th graders improving science skills

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s 8th-graders are improving their science skills.

The U.S. Education Department says results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show South Carolina student scores in science increased six points in 2011 as compared with two years earlier.

The scores now are just below the national average.

The results showed that 61 percent of the state’s students scored at or above basic science levels on the national assessment.

A total of 47 states participate in the assessment and 16 of them improved scores last year. No state scored lower than it did in 2009.