Virginia’s K-12 science standards stand out as some of the most thorough and rigorous in the nation, according to rankings published today by the conservative Fordham Institute.

The rankings highlight what in most states are “woefully inadequate” standards that shape what students learn and contribute to the United States’ lagging performance in science, according to Fordham scholars.

More than 75 percent of states received a C, D or F. Virginia, on the other hand, got an A-. The commonwealth was dinged for overly broad physics standards but won praise for its biology expectations and, in particular, its presentation of the theory of evolution.

“Virginia’s successful effort does not involve magic or gimmickry,” the authors wrote. “Every state could (and should) emulate these standards — if not literally, then at least as a model of serious thinking about science curricula.”

But strong standards do little good if they’re not taught. And some educators worry that a bill making its way through the General Assembly would help discourage elementary school teachers from teaching science.

The bill gets rid of third-grade Standards of Learning exams in science and social studies. Proponents want to give students more time to focus on math and reading; opponents worry that teachers evaluated on their students’ test performance will stop teaching science altogether.

Already, some districts — including Fairfax — have seen science scores stagnate even as math and reading scores have risen.

The bill, S.B. 185, passed the Senate last week and awaits a vote in the House.