The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS, discussed in the December 12, 1996 Scout Report), provided by the US Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, has released the second in its series of Pursuing Excellence reports, this one detailing fourth grade math and science achievement. The report attempts to compare US science and math achievement with that of 26 other TIMSS countries. Several of the findings are encouraging: "in mathematics, U.S. fourth graders perform above the international average of the 26 TIMSS countries....in science content areas, [US] fourth graders' performance exceeds the international average in all four of the areas assessed." However, "the international standing of U.S. fourth graders is stronger than that of U.S. eighth graders in both mathematics and science." The previously published eighth grade assessment can be found on the same page.