Reading Proficiency Maps

Use the chart below to explore what percentage of students from selected student groups performed at or above the Proficient achievement level on the NAEP reading assessment. (Percentages are in the circles.) Find out more about the NAEP reading achievement levels.

On the right-hand side of the graphic, select the year you would like to see. Headlines are provided to highlight comparisons between prior years and 2011.

Results marked with ** are higher or lower than the nation and all the other Mega-States.
Those marked with * are higher or lower than the nation.
Results without any asterisks are not significantly different from the nation.

Grade 4

Grade 8

Race/Ethnicity

Compared to 1992, higher percentages of White, Black, and Hispanic students in California, Florida, New York, and Texas performed at or above Proficient in 2011.

Percentage of fourth-grade students at or above Proficient in NAEP reading, by selected racial/ethnic groups and jurisdiction: 1992 and 2011

Eligibility for free/reduced-priced school lunch

Compared to 2003, higher percentages of eligible students in Florida and New York performed at or above Proficient in 2011.

Percentage of fourth-grade students at or above Proficient in NAEP reading, by eligibility for free/reduced-price school lunch and jurisdiction: 2003 and 2011

English Language Learners

Compared to 1998, the percentages of English language learners (ELL) performing at or above Proficient were not significantly different in 2011 for any of the Mega-States.

Percentage of fourth-grade students at or above Proficient in NAEP reading, by status as English language learner and jurisdiction: 1998 and 2011

* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2011.
NOTE: Black includes African American, and Hispanic includes Latino. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin. See complete data for race/ethnicity, family income, and English language learners.
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), various years, 1992-2011 Reading Assessments.