Georgia students performed better on state standardized tests this spring for the third year in a row.

Data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Education show improvement in nearly every subject and grade level on the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests. For eighth-grade math — which plummeted in 2008 — the pass rate increased to 78 percent, up from 62 percent in 2008 and 74 percent last year.

Two tests saw slight declines: fourth-grade reading and sixth-grade English language arts. Both dropped 1 percentage point.

The annual tests for first- through eighth-graders in Georgia cover subjects including math, reading, English language arts, science and social studies.

The scores are part of what Georgia uses to calculate progress under federal No Child Left Behind standards. Schools that consistently perform badly face sanctions.