When it comes to reading and math, most Lawrence public schools are excellent, according to the Kansas State Department of Education.

Science, history and government, however, are a different story.

In a newly released state report card that is based on standardized test scores from last spring, 19 Lawrence schools received Standard of Excellence awards in reading, while 12 earned the honor in math. Only five schools earned a Standard of Excellence award in science, and just one, Southwest Junior High School, in history/government. Southwest was the only Lawrence school to achieve state standards in every category.

These recent scores were an improvement from 2007.

Thirteen schools were awarded the honor in reading last year, and 11 in math. History/government and science are tested every two years.

“It’s a snapshot, like everything else,” said Superintendent Randy Weseman. “We use multiple sources of measurement, and this is one vehicle of doing that.”

Across the state, Department of Education administrators say the progress made by students is encouraging, with almost every grade level and subgroup showing improvement.

“The students should be proud of their success,” said Alexa Posny, state commissioner of education. Teachers and administrators should feel “gratified” by the results, and parents should feel good that they live in a state committed to education, she said.

To be awarded the Standard of Excellence, schools must maintain a certain percentage of students who achieve exemplary scores in the subjects, and a limited number of students on academic warning. Additionally, schools must achieve Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Terry McEwen, the district’s assessment director, said achieving the standard of excellence is an honor.

It recognizes “schools that go above and beyond in achievement,” he said. “The criteria is pretty stringent.”

Though only one school made the Standard of Excellence in history/government, Weseman said the low number doesn’t reflect gains made in other areas.

“That’s not a major concern. We met (the standard) in a lot of other areas,” he said. “There’s a lot of schools on that list.”

Grades three through eight and high school students were tested in reading and math. Sixth- and eighth-graders, as well as high school juniors, were tested in history/government. Fourth- and seventh-graders, and high school juniors, were tested in science.