More LTT Results

Reading Classroom Context: Reading for Fun

Use the tabs to view student performance by gender, race/ethnicity, and grade level.
Use the drop down menu when viewing student group performance to see data for different assessment years.
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As part of the 2012 long-term trend assessment, students were asked a question about how often they read on their own time. The full text of the question is below.

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

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

Age 9Age 13Age 17

All StudentsGenderRace/EthnicityGrade Level

The percentage of 9-year-olds in the nation reading for fun on their own time almost every day in 2012 was higher than in 2008 but not significantly different from 1984.

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In 2012, a higher percentage of female students than male students read for fun almost every day.

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Approximately 47 percent of Black 9-year-olds in the nation read for fun on their own time almost every day in 2012, which is lower than in 1984 (55 percent).

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“Other” includes American Indian/Alaska Native, two or more races, and unclassified.

Approximately 52 percent of 9-year-olds in the 4th grade read for fun on their own time almost every day in 2012, which is higher than in 2008 (46 percent).

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All StudentsGenderRace/EthnicityGrade Level

Approximately 27 percent of 13-year-olds in the nation read for fun on their own time almost every day in 2012, which is lower than in 1984.

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In 2012, a higher percentage of female students than male students read for fun almost every day.

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Lower percentages of White, Black, and Hispanic 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2012 compared to 1984.

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“Other” includes American Indian/Alaska Native, two or more races, and unclassified.

For 13-year-olds in the 8th grade and in the 7th grade or below, lower percentages of read for fun almost every day in 2012 compared to 1984.

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All StudentsGenderRace/EthnicityGrade Level

Approximately 19 percent of 17-year-olds in the nation read for fun on their own time almost every day in 2012, which is lower than in 1984.

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Table

In 2012, a higher percentage of female students than male students read for fun almost every day.

Figure
Table

Lower percentages of White, Black, and Hispanic 17-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2012 compared to 1984.

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Table

"Other" includes American Indian/Alaska Native, two or more races, and unclassified.

Across all grade-level categories, lower percentages of 17-year-olds read for fun almost every day in 2012 compared to 1984.

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