Fifth graders in Florida took the 2022 statewide science exam to measure their understanding of the state’s science standards, but the results were stagnant and dismal.

Based on a score of 3 or higher, only 48% of fifth graders passed the exam. The Florida Department of Education believes it is “enough. You may need additional support for the next grade/course.”

Good news? This 48% of him is up from his 47% in 2021, according to state data. But the bad news? From 2012 to 2019, grade 5 state science performance ranged from 51% to 55% by grade. Then the COVID pandemic hit, canceling statewide testing for 2019-20 and no data for 2020.

Furthermore, in 2022, only 23% of 5th graders were considered proficient or better with a score of 4 or 5.

In all, 211,739 fifth graders took the exam in 2022, covering questions about the nature of science, earth and space sciences, physical sciences, and life sciences.

For example, in Earth and Space, fifth graders should “recognize that galaxies are made up of many stars, including gas, dust, and all the objects that orbit the stars.” Students should explain that stars can be different. Everything is so far away that it looks like a point of light.

In the physical sciences, fifth graders should be able to “compare and contrast the basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases such as mass, volume, color, texture, and temperature.”

In the three districts, only 23, 26 and 27% of 5th graders achieved a passing score. Topping the list is Nassau, in northeastern Florida, where 70% of her fifth graders passed state science exams.

Portions of this article were originally published on the Florida Phoenix website. Florida Phoenix is ​​a non-profit news organization that specializes in Tallahassee state government and political reporting. You can access it by clicking here.