Students across Bermuda are lagging behind their US counterparts in reading, language and mathematics skills, new figures show.

Bermudian children at all levels except primary three fared worse on average than youngsters in the States, according to results from Terra Nova exams last May.

Second year middle school students scored the lowest, with an average of 34, compared with the US average 50. In math, M2 children averaged just 28, compared with the States average of 50.

Results show the gap in achievements between Bermudian and US students appears to increase as children progress through the schools system.

Revealing the results yesterday, Education Minister Randy Horton called for a "revolution" in student achievement and expectations. Mr. Horton said a full-scale review of the education system, announced last month and due to start in March, should help tackle the poor performance.

Yesterday's scores are the latest in a string of announcements highlighting failings of students and young people across the Island.

Last month, Mr. Horton revealed figures showing more than half of final year students failed to graduate last summer.

And last week a survey showed how almost two-thirds of men and more than half of women aged between 16 to 25 have inadequate literacy skills to excel in life.

Shadow Education Minister Neville Darrell last night said yesterday's results provided more evidence that a reform of education should have been started years ago.

To calculate the Terra Nova scores, a random sample of US students ? from public, parochial and private schools covering a broad spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds ? were tested in 2005.

The results were worked out so that the average US student always scored 50.

Bermudians were tested last May and their average score is then compared against the US average. The further the Bermudian average falls below 50, the further it falls behind the US.

Overall, primary school pupils came out best among Bermudian pupils. P3 students scored an average of 51 ? putting them slightly ahead of the US. However, the figure is below the US average for other primary pupils, at 46, 49 and 49 for P4, P5 and P6 levels respectively.

Scores then suffer a serious drop among middle school pupils. Students scored 41, 34 and 43 in the M1, M2 and M3 levels respectively, putting them well behind the US.

Senior school pupils also fared poorly, with S1 students averaging 39 and S2 averaging 40.

Language produced the best results for Bermudian students. P3 students scored 56 and P5 students averaged 54.

The other age groups remained in the 40s, suggesting that they were behind the US, but not dramatically adrift.

Every Bermudian age group was behind the US in reading and mathematics. In reading, primary school pupils averaged mainly in the 40s, middle school pupils in the 30s and senior school students around the 40 mark.

In math, primary school pupils averaged in the mid to high 40s, middle school pupils between 28 and 42 percent, and senior school students in the lower 30s. At a press conference yesterday, Mr. Horton said: "In a nutshell, the scores indicate that each area needs to be addressed. We are concerned about the overall performance of our students at the middle and senior levels, and about those students who are not performing at an acceptable standard at the primary level.

"You would be aware that we are about to conduct a comprehensive and independent review of the performance of the public education system, the result of which will be a comprehensive strategic plan for moving forward."

Mr. Horton called for the community to help reverse the trends by becoming involved in schools across the Island.

"I make this call even to those who may not have children in the public education system," he said.

"Take the time to find out how you can get involved in programmes in schools or in programmes such as Pride, YouthNet and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

"I make this call because ultimately we have no choice. Our children must emerge as confident adults with a fighting chance of competing with the world because the world has come to Bermuda.

"This requires no less than a revolution in public attitudes about public education, a revolution in community engagement and revolution in student achievement and expectations."

Reflecting on the results, United Bermuda Party MP Mr. Darrell said: "This serves only to reinforce my concern that systemic education reform is long overdue in Bermuda. It's been a constant message we have championed for several years.

"The Government must bear responsibility for failing to take action as the recent abysmal graduation results have shown."