A new report says Kansas eighth-graders scored higher than the national average on a science proficiency exam.

State officials said Thursday that Kansas students had an average scaled score of 156 out of 300 on the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress. That is higher than 26 other states and lower than 15 states. The national average was 151.

The report says 35% of Kansas eighth-graders scored “proficient” or above in science. The national average was 31%.

Kansas Education Commissioner Diane DeBacker said the state was in “a good position from which to grow.”

The U.S. Education Department says the results show that eighth-graders nationwide are doing better in science than they were two years ago, but seven out of 10 still are not considered proficient.