Complete reading data for the Mega-States are available by using the drop-down menu below. Explore results by subject, state, and year by using the interactive graphics on this page.
The NAEP reading assessment was first administered at the state level in California, Florida, New York, and Texas at grade 4 in 1992 and at grade 8 in 1998. Initial results for Illinois were reported in 2003 at both grades. The reading assessment measures students’ reading comprehension skills by asking them to read selected grade-appropriate materials and answer questions based on what they have read. The Reading Framework serves as the blueprint for the assessment, describing the specific reading skills that should be assessed. For more information about the assessment, explore what the reading assessment measures.
Grade 4
Trend results
Scores for fourth-graders in Florida increased from lower than the nation in 1992 to higher than the nation in 2011.
Florida’s 16-point gain was the largest gain among the Mega-States.
All four of the Mega-States that participated in the first assessment in reading in 1992 had higher average scores in 2011.
Comparisons to the nation in 2011
Both Florida and New York scored higher than the nation.
— Not available.
‡ Reporting standards not met.
* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2011.
** Score change was statistically significant (p < .05) between 1992 and 2011.
NOTE: Score changes were calculated using unrounded average scores. Illinois did not participate or did not meet the minimum participation guidelines for reporting at the state level prior to 2003. The score change for Illinois is between 2003 and 2011.
NOTE: For complete data, please make your selections in the drop down selection boxes at the top of this page.
Grade 8
Trend results
Scores for eighth-graders in Florida increased from lower than the nation in 1998 to not significantly different from the nation in 2011.
Florida’s 8-point gain was the only statistically significant gain for the Mega-States.
Comparisons to the nation in 2011
Illinois scored higher than the nation.
California and Texas scored lower than the nation.
Scores for Florida and New York were not significantly different from the nation.
— Not available.
# Rounds to zero.
‡ Reporting standards not met.
* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2011.
** Score change was statistically significant (p < .05) between 1998 and 2011.
NOTE: Score changes were calculated using unrounded average scores. Illinois did not participate or did not meet the minimum participation guidelines for reporting at the state level prior to 2003. The score change for Illinois is between 2003 and 2011. For complete data, please make your selections in the drop down selection boxes at the top of this page.
Demographics of the Mega-States
In the 2011 data shown below for grades 4 and 8 reading, the Mega-States differed in the relative proportions of various student groups. At grade 4 for example, the percentages of Hispanic students ranged from 19 percent in Illinois to 54 percent in California, and the percentages of English language learners ranged from 7 percent in Illinois to 31 percent in California. At grade 8, the percentages of students attending city schools ranged from 21 percent in Florida to 45 percent in California.
Percentage of fourth-grade public school students in NAEP reading, by jurisdiction and selected characteristics: 2011
Characteristics
Student groups
Percentage of students
Nation (public)
California
Florida
Illinois
New York
Texas
Race/ethnicity
White
52
25
**
40
**
53
48
**
31
**
Black
16
7
**
25
*
20
*
20
*
14
**
Hispanic
23
54
*
29
**
19
*
20
*
51
*
Asian/Pacific Islander
5
13
*
3
*
4
10
*
3
*
American Indian/Alaska Native
1
#
*
#
*
#
*
1
#
*
Free/reduced-price school lunch
Eligible
52
58
*
62
*
49
**
55
63
*
Not eligible
47
41
*
38
*
51
**
43
*
36
*
School location
City
29
45
*
25
**
30
43
*
41
*
Suburb
36
40
*
54
**
44
*
38
28
**
Town
12
8
*
5
*
10
*
7
*
12
Rural
23
7
*
15
*
17
*
12
*
18
*
Students with disabilities (SD)
SD
11
8
**
14
*
13
*
14
*
5
**
Not SD
89
92
**
86
*
87
*
86
*
95
**
English language learners (ELL)
ELL
11
31
**
8
*
7
*
8
*
18
**
Not ELL
89
69
**
92
*
93
*
92
*
82
**
# Rounds to zero.
* Significantly different (p < .05) from the nation.
** Significantly different (p < .05) from the nation and the other Mega-States.
NOTE: Black includes African American, and Hispanic includes Latino, and Pacific Islander includes Native Hawaiian. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin. For race/ethnicity, detail may not sum to totals because results are not shown for students of "two or more races". For free/reduced-price school lunch, detail may not sum to totals because results are not shown for the category "information not available." For school location, detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. For complete data, please make your selections in the drop down selection boxes at the top of this page.
Percentage of eighth-grade public school students in NAEP reading, by jurisdiction and selected characteristics: 2011
Characteristics
Student groups
Percentage of students
Nation (public)
California
Florida
Illinois
New York
Texas
Race/ethnicity
White
54
26
**
45
**
51
51
32
**
Black
16
7
**
22
*
18
19
*
13
**
Hispanic
22
51
*
27
*
23
21
50
*
Asian/Pacific Islander
5
15
**
3
**
5
8
**
4
*
American Indian/Alaska Native
1
1
#
*
#
*
#
*
#
*
Free/reduced-price school lunch
Eligible
48
55
*
55
*
48
50
*
58
*
Not eligible
52
45
*
45
*
52
49
*
42
*
School location
City
29
45
*
21
**
30
43
*
43
*
Suburb
36
38
55
**
47
**
36
27
**
Town
13
8
8
11
7
*
10
Rural
23
9
*
17
*
13
*
13
*
19
*
Students with disabilities (SD)
SD
10
8
**
13
*
13
*
14
*
6
**
Not SD
90
92
**
87
*
87
*
86
*
94
**
English Language Learners (ELL)
ELL
5
17
**
4
*
4
*
5
7
**
Not ELL
95
83
**
96
*
96
*
95
93
**
# Rounds to zero.
* Significantly different (p < .05) from the nation.
** Significantly different (p < .05) from the nation and the other Mega-States.
NOTE: Black includes African American, and Hispanic includes Latino, and Pacific Islander includes Native Hawaiian. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin. For race/ethnicity, detail may not sum to totals because results are not shown for students of "two or more races". For free/reduced-price school lunch, detail may not sum to totals because results are not shown for the category "information not available." For school location, detail may not sum to totals because of rounding. For complete data, please make your selections in the drop down selection boxes at the top of this page.
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 Assessment.
