Talk about different points of view.

The Virginia Department of Education reported this week that Virginia fourth-grade and eighth-grade students "are among the highest achieving in the nation" in science scores. Fourth-graders placed in "a virtual tie" for first place; New Hampshire students scored just one point higher.

All true.

Virginia did place at the top of the 2009 National Assessment of Education Progress - also known as "the Nation's Report Card" - in earth, physical and life sciences.

Forty-six percent of Virginia fourth-grade students met or exceeded the NAEP proficiency standard, compared with 33 percent nationwide. Virginia was seventh among states in the statistical ranking for eighth-graders. Thirty-six percent of eighth-graders met or exceeded the NAEP standard, compared with 29 percent nationwide.

But a different way to look at the numbers: 54 percent of fourth-graders and 64 percent of eighth-graders failed to meet the standard.

Testing also points up the achievement gap: Only 18 percent of black fourth-graders and 11 percent of eighth-graders demonstrated proficiency.

Nationally, of course, the statistics are even more sobering: 66 percent of fourth-graders and 70 percent of eighth-graders failed to achieve proficiency. The picture is even worse for 12th-graders: 75 percent failed to reach that standard.

From 40 to 28 percent of students even failed to meet the basic standard, which is partial proficiency. "That means that a double-digit percentage of our students are just nowhere," Alan Friedman, a member of the board that sets policy for NAEP, told Education Week. "They're uncomfortable with science, they don't understand it, they can't do it, and they probably don't like it" (Jan. 25).

Meanwhile, results of a global study - the Program for International Student Assessment - shows U.S. students performing at about average in science. The study evaluated 15-year-olds; results were announced last month.

U.S. scores in science fell below those of 12 other nations, including Canada and the United Kingdom. Worse, U.S. students were below average in math.

Francis Eberle, executive director of the National Science Teachers Association based in Arlington, blames some of the decline in science on the No Child Left Behind law. He says science has been pushed aside for an emphasis on reading and math. If so, positive results of that effort aren't showing up in math scores, either.

Americans should be concerned about students' proficiency in these subjects, on which will be built this nation's ability to innovate and compete worldwide in the coming years.

Education is a huge and complex undertaking. It is unlikely that any single, standardized initiative will produce the results America wants.

Meanwhile … speaking of Education Week allows us to end back on a positive note. Science scores not withstanding, the periodical recently named Virginia's public education system as the fourth-best in the nation. The criteria: K-12 achievement, the chance for success, school finance, and policies related to transitions and alignment.