Classroom Context: Reading for Fun

As part of the 2009 reading assessment, fourth-, eighth-, and twelfth-graders were asked about the amount of time they spent reading for fun. The full text of the question, corresponding percentages, and average scores of students who responded in each category are below.

How often do you read for fun on your own time?

A. Never or hardly ever
B. Once or twice a month
C. Once or twice a week
D. Almost every day

Grade 4

Grade 8

Grade 12

Average Scores

Percentage of Students

Fourth-graders who read for fun almost every day (228) scored higher than those who read for fun less frequently (210, 214, and 221 respectively).

NOTE: The NAEP reading scale ranges from 0 to 500. Some apparent differences between estimates may not be statistically significant. See complete data.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2009 Reading Assessment.

Browse questionnaires for the NAEP assessments.