North Carolina fourth and eighth graders outperformed the national average in math on a national end of year test.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress math test results were released by the U.S. Department of Education. The tests showed that fourth graders in North Carolina were particularly strong in math. The average score in the state was 244 compared to 239 for the nation, according to a news release from the state Department of Public Instruction.   

Only Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Vermont performed significantly above North Carolina in fourth grade mathematics, according to DPI.

Eighth grade students in North Carolina outperformed their national counterparts although their score did not change from 2007. The average score in the state was 284, compared to the national average score of 282.

"As we prepare our students for the 21st century workforce, the importance of a solid foundation in mathematics cannot be overstated," Gov. Beverly Perdue said in a news release. "We must continue to make progress in this area — and push for excellence in all subjects — to ensure that all of our kids, everywhere in North Carolina, get the skills to succeed in any career, anywhere in the world."