Students who took a statewide science exam did well compared to their peers in similar school districts and the rest of the Granite State, but local educators say there is room for improvement.

“We did all right, but we can do better,” said David Sacks, chairman of the School Board. Last spring, 364 eighth-graders and 354 fourth-graders took the science portion of the NECAP test, administered for the first time in New Hampshire.

Of the eighth-graders, 47 percent demonstrated they were proficient or better, compared to 26 percent across the state. Fourth-graders were 68 percent proficient, above the state average of 51 percent.

“While the district is pleased with our performance relative to the state norms, we continue to work to improve all of our students’ academic achievement,” said Pam Ilg, principal of Memorial Elementary School.

The scores were released by the state on Sept. 18. Already, Bedford educators said they are taking steps in response to the information.

At Riddle Brook Elementary School, Principal Molly McCarthy said administrators and teachers are reviewing the results of individual students to help them meet state standards.

At Lurgio Middle School, Sacks said educators are enhancing the annual Mt. Cardigan field trip for eighth-graders, ramping it up to stimulate “critical, high-level thinking.” The School Board heard a presentation on the revised program at its meeting on Monday, Sept 22.

The NECAP science test is designed to measure the knowledge and skills a student has mastered over a certain span of grades. The state has set standards for how far students should have progressed.

The NECAP, which stands for New England Common Assessment Program, also tests students for their reading, writing, and mathematical abilities. The science portion, taken in May 2008 in New Hampshire, Vermont and Rhode Island, covers earth and space, physical, and life sciences. The test format consists of multiple choice questions, short responses and a section where students must use the scientific methods of making predictions, collecting data and drawing conclusions from it.

During the past year, Bedford teachers have been reviewing the state expectations and comparing them with the curriculum. As a result, the sections on weather and energy were strengthened, according to Ken Williams, principal of Peter Woodbury Elementary School. He said the curriculum revisions were made by the start of this school year.

“NECAP is one tool to help determine how well our schools are helping students meet standards,” said Ed Joyce, Williams’ counterpart at the middle school. “In every assessment, scores are beneficial to the extent that teachers, parents, and students make use of the results to adjust teaching and learning.”

More information is available at www.ed.state.nh.us/necap.