NSTA has released the following statement regarding the results of the 2009 Program for International Student Assessment Report (PISA):

The National Science Teachers Association is cautiously optimistic and somewhat surprised in the results for Science in the PISA Report. We are cautiously optimistic in that average science scores are up from 2006; however, this growth only puts the U.S. from the lower middle to the middle of the pack. We are still behind 18 countries and only 29 percent of students tested showed proficiency in science.
We are surprised at the scores because a very limited investment has been made on a national level in training and retaining science teachers. We believe that test scores for our students could be significantly improved if schools, states, and the federal government would commit to a larger investment in science teaching and learning.
As this report shows, our international neighbors are making the investment in science education. Our ability as a nation to remain competitive with other countries is dependent on how well we educate our children in science and mathematics. We hope this report will generate more public discussion about the need to make the necessary investments in science education.