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No significant change in White – Black score gaps in reading since 2004
Scale Score
White – Black Gap
White – Hispanic Gap

Trend in White – Black NAEP reading average scores and score gaps for 17-year-old students

graph key

Findings

  • Compared to 2004, there was no significant change in the gap in reading scores between White and Black students at age 17.
  • The score gap between White and Black 17-year-olds in 2008 narrowed by 24 points compared to 1971. 

* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2008.
NOTE: Score gaps are calculated based on differences between unrounded average scores. Black includes African American. The White and Black race categories exclude Hispanic origin. View complete data with standard errors.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), various years, 1971–2008 Long-Term Trend Reading Assessments.

To read more details on comparisons across years, see About the Long-Term Trend Assessment.
To read more details related to student group categories, see NAEP Long-Term Trend Reporting Groups.

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2008 Long-Term Trend Report Card 2008 Long-Term Trend Report Card

National Assessment of Educational Progress, National Center for Education Statistics
National Assessment Governing Board
Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education