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HELENA- A new report shows Montana eighth grade students scored high in reading and math, graduation rates increased in 2011, and almost 75% of Montana schools meet federal testing requirements.

Most of Montana's public schools met new higher requirements for yearly progress, with nearly 75% of the state's 820 public schools hitting the mark, according to the Adequate Yearly Progress report released Friday by the Montana Office of Public Instruction.

Only one state scored higher than Montana eighth graders in math and no states scored higher in reading, according to the 2011 Nation's Report Card.

Fourth grade math saw only seven states scoring higher than Montana, while in grade four reading, only five states scored higher. In the latest science report card,

Montana's eighth graders shared the highest score in the nation with just three other states and our fourth graders ranked second-highest.

The report shows Montana's graduation rate increased from 80.2% to 82.2% in the 2010 to 2011 school year while the national graduation rate is 75.5%.

"We have high expectations for our public schools in Montana, and our students and teachers have been working very hard to improve test scores in reading, math and science. Their efforts are demonstrated by the continued progress in academic performance statewide," State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said in a news release.