HONOLULU (AP) — Science proficiency scores among Hawaii's high school sophomores remained the same for a second year.

According to the state Department of Education, just 22 percent of 10th-graders tested proficient in science last school year.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (http://ow.ly/cIM2d ) reported Friday the stagnant scores are a low-point in lower than expected gains last school year among fourth- and eighth-graders.

Forty-five percent of fourth-graders were proficient in science, from 43 percent the previous school year. For eighth graders, 31 percent were proficient, from 26 percent.

Education officials say schools can do only so much with tight resources and that under the federal No Child Left Behind law, the focus has been on reading and math.

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Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com