BERMUDA'S public school students are performing better than in the past ? with marked improvement noted in all subject areas.

Results of standardised examinations sat earlier this year, show performance to be on par, or above, that of the average American student, according to the Ministry of Education.

"I am very pleased to note that there is a continued upward trend in the results which show our students achieved on the 2003 Terra Nova tests," said acting chief education officer Maxine Esdaille yesterday.

"This shows that the system's steadfast commitment to raising the bar on public education, by instituting initiatives such as the Literacy and Mathematics projects, are now bearing fruit. In all three content areas ? language, reading and mathematics ? for almost all year levels in the system, performance this year was better than last year so the trend for continued improvement is being maintained."

The Terra Nova tests are administered to public school students in the areas of reading, language and mathematics. The tests are used to measure the capability of each student and also to assist schools in developing instructional tools to ensure pupils meet certain standards.

According to Ms Esdaille, satisfactory results were noted at all student levels.

"Our primary three students' scores are above the average score obtained by the US test group. Of particular note is the fact that this level improved on last year's performance in two out of the three tests taken.

"The results for students in primary four through six are generally the same as the US norm group in all three subjects tested."

The results from primary four through six students were pretty much the same as the Department saw last year, she added.

"There is good news at the middle level, where students scored better in two out of the three sections than they did last year. Middle school students are performing within the average range, although we expect that because of our renewed efforts at the middle level.

"At the senior level, students' reading and language scores were in the average range. Their performance this year on both these tests at both levels tested was better than last year. Although senior school students scored better in mathematics this year than they did last year, we recognise there is still room for improvement.

"However, this is the value of standardised tests such as the Terra Nova because they demonstrate for us in very practical terms, where we need to renew our efforts so that students improve."