Overall Summary

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) Mega-States report focuses on the performance of students in the five most populous states in the United States: California, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas. These five states have the five largest public school populations in the nation. The report focuses on the performance of public school students in three subjects: reading, mathematics, and science at grades 4 and 8. Please note that writing results were not included in this report because the 2011 writing framework begins a new trend line. In addition, the 2011 computer-based writing assessment was not administered at the state level. The interactive graphic at the bottom of this page allows you to explore results in depth.

The Mega-States are home to nearly one-third of the nation's public schools

In 2010, there were about 49.5 million students in public schools nationwide, and close to 18.7 million of them attended schools in the Mega-States. Illinois educates over 2.1 million students, Florida and New York have more than 2.5 million students each, and California and Texas combined account for over 11 million students. By comparison, all other states have between 89,000 and 1.8 million students.

The Mega-States exemplify our nation's changing demographics

The Mega-States are at the forefront of the demographic shifts in our nation. California, Texas, New York, and Florida had the largest increases in the immigrant population over the last decade. Illinois had the sixth largest increase.

Most of our nation's English language learners (ELL) are educated in the Mega-States. California enrolls nearly 1.5 million ELL students—the largest number in the nation. That's more than twice the amount of any other Mega-State. The variations in state policies and percentages of ELL students identified in each Mega-State, along with the variations in exclusion and accommodation rates, are part of the overall context for interpreting academic achievement. Explore exclusion rates for reading, mathematics, and science.

More than one-third of all families below the poverty line live in the Mega-States. About 9 million families in the United States reported income below the poverty line in 2011; 3.4 million of them were in the Mega-States. Compared to the national average, California, Florida, and Texas all have higher percentages of students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). New York is about the same as the national average, while Illinois is lower.

Explore results with an interactive graphic

Overall, public school students from the Mega-States usually performed lower than or not significantly different from their peers in the nation in the most recent NAEP assessments in reading, mathematics, and science. The reading and mathematics assessments were administered at the state level at both grades in 2011. Science was most recently administered at grade 4 in 2009 and grade 8 in 2011. The picture is more complex and varied when results for NAEP student groups are examined.

Explore how the average scores for student groups compare to the nation by either selecting a subject or a state from the left-hand side of the interactive graphic below. Results can be displayed by

• subject across all the Mega-States and student groups, or
• by individual Mega-State across all the subjects and student groups.

Images of tables that indicate score differences across the Mega-States by subject, grade, and student groups.

READING:  At grade 4, all student groups in Florida scored higher than the nation.

The overall average reading score in

• The nation was 220 at grade 4 and 264 at grade 8.
• California was 211 at grade 4 and 255 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 225 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 262 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 219 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 266 at grade 8, higher than the nation.
• New York was 222 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 266 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 218 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 261 at grade 8, lower than the nation.

The average reading score for White students in

• The nation was 230 at grade 4 and 272 at grade 8.
• California was 229 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 268 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Florida was 235 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 270 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 231 at grade 4 and 274 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 232 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 276 at grade 8,  higher than the nation,
• Texas was 233 at grade 4 and 274 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.

The average reading score for Black students in

• The nation was 205 at grade 4 and 248 at grade 8.
• California was 208 at grade 4 and 243 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 209 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 248 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 198 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 249 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 208 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 210 at grade 4 and 252 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average reading score for Hispanic students in

• The nation was 205 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8.
• California was 198 at grade 4 and 255 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation
• Florida was 220 at grade 4 and 259 at grade8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Illinois was 219 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 266 at grade 8, higher than the nation.
• New York was 209 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 210 at grade 4 and 254 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average reading score for Asian/Pacific Islander students in

• The nation was 234 at grade 4 and 275 at grade 8.
• California was 233 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 271 at grade 8, lower than the nation
• Florida was 244 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 279 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 237 at grade 4 and 289 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 235 at grade 4 and 276 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 2 47 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 284 at grade 8, significantly higher than the nation.

The average reading score for students eligible for free/reduced price school lunch in

• The nation was 207 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8.
• California was 198 at grade 4 and 244 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 216 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 254 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 203 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 253 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 212 at grade 4 and 255 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Texas was 209 at grade 4 and 253 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.

The average reading score for students with disabilities in

• The nation was 186 at grade 4 and 230 at grade 8.
• California was 175 at grade 4 and 213 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 201 at grade 4 and 235 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Illinois was 183 at grade 4 and 230 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 189 at grade 4 and 234 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 188 at grade 4 and 130 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.

The average reading score for English language learners in

• The nation was 188 at grade 4 and 223 at grade 8.
• California was 186 at grade 4 and 220 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 195 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 225 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 180 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 224 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 187 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 216 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Texas was 197 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 225 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.

By student group, the number of times

• California scored above the nation in reading was 0 at grade 4 and 0 at grade 8.
• Florida scored above the nation in reading was 8 at grade 4 and 2 at grade 8.
• Illinois scored above the nation in reading was 0 at grade 4 and 2 at grade 8.
• New York scored above the nation in reading was 2 at grade 4 and 2 at grade 8.
• Texas scored above the nation in reading was 3 at grade 4 and 3 at grade 8.

MATHEMATICS:  At grade 8 in mathematics, all student groups in Texas scored higher than the nation.

The overall average mathematics score in

• The nation was 240 at grade 4 and 283 at grade 8.
• California was 234 at grade 4 and 273 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 240 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 278 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Illinois was 239 at grade 4 and 283 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 238 at grade 4 and 280 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Texas was 241 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 290 at grade 8, higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for White students in

• The nation was 249 at grade 4 and 293 at grade 8.
• California was 252 at grade 4 and 290 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Florida was 250 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 287 at grade 8, lower than nation.
• Illinois was 249 at grade 4 and 294 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 245 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 291 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 253 at grade 4 and 304 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for Black students in

• The nation was 224 at grade 4 and 262 at grade 8.
• California was 225 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 254 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Florida was 226 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 258 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Illinois was 219 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 260 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 224 at grade 4 and 264 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 232 at grade 4 and 277 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for Hispanic students in

• The nation was 229 at grade 4 and 269 at grade 8.
• California was 222 at grade 4 and 260 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 236 at grade 4 and 274 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Illinois was 226 at grade 4 and 272 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 226 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 263 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Texas was 235 at grade 4 and 283 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for Asian/Pacific Islander students in

• The nation was 256 at grade 4 and 302 at grade 8.
• California was 256 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 298 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Florida was 257 at grade 4 and 312 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 257 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 314 at grade 8, higher than the nation.
• New York was 252 at grade 4 and 302 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 263 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 316 at grade 8, higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for students eligible for free/reduced price school lunch in

• The nation was 229 at grade 4 and 269 at grade 8.
• California was 222 at grade 4 and 260 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 232 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 267 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Illinois was 225 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 269 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 229 at grade 4 and 269 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 234 at grade 4 and 281 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for students with disabilities in

• The nation was 218 at grade 4 and 249 at grade 8.
• California was 202 at grade 4 and 232 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 223 at grade 4, higher than the average score in the nation, and 250 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 218 at grade 4 and 252 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 215 at grade 4 and 249 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 220 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 261 at grade 8, higher than the nation.

The average mathematics score for English language learners in

• The nation was 219 at grade 4 and 244 at grade 8.
• California was 214 at grade 4 and 234 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 219 at grade 4 and 246 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 215 at grade 4 and 243 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 211 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 239 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 228 at grade 4 and 261 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

By student group, the number of times

• California scored above the nation in mathematics was 0 at grade 4 and 0 at grade 8.
• Florida scored above the nation in mathematics was 3 at grade 4 and 1 at grade 8.
• Illinois scored above the nation in mathematics was 0 at grade 4 and 1 at grade 8.
• New York scored above the nation in mathematics was 0 at grade 4 and 0 at grade 8.
• Texas scored above the nation in mathematics was 5 at grade 4 and 8 at grade 8.

SCIENCE:  At both grades, Hispanic students in Florida and Texas scored higher than the nation.

The overall average science score in

• The nation was 149 at grade 4 and 151 at grade 8.
• California was 136 at grade 4 and 140 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 151 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 148 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Illinois was 148 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 147 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• New York was 148 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 149 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Texas was 148 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 153 at grade 8, higher than the nation.

The average science score for White students in

• The nation was 230 at grade 4 and 272 at grade 8.
• California was 229 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 268 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Florida was 235 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 270 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 231 at grade 4 and 274 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 232 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 276 at grade 8, higher than the nation.
• Texas was 233 at grade 4 and 274 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.

The average science score for Black students in

• The nation was 205 at grade 4 and 248 at grade 8.
• California was 208 at grade 4 and 243 at grade 8, both of which of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Florida was 209 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 248 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 198 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 249 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 208 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 210 at grade 4 and 252 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average science score for Hispanic students in

• The nation was 205 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8.
• California was 198 at grade 4 and 245 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 220 at grade 4 and 259 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Illinois was 204 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 257 at grade 8, higher than the nation.
• New York was 209 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 210 at grade 4 and 254 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.

The average science score for Asian/Pacific Islander students in

• The nation was 234 at grade 4 and 275 at grade 8.
• California was 233 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 271 at grade 8, lower than the nation
• Florida was 244 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 279 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 237 at grade 4 and 280 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 235 at grade 4 and 276 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 247 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 284 at grade 8, higher than the nation.

The average science score for students eligible for free/reduced price school lunch in

• The nation was 207 at grade 4 and 251 at grade 8.
• California was 198 at grade 4 and 244 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 216 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 254 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 203 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 253 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 212 at grade 4 and 255 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Texas was 209 at grade 4 and 253 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.

The average science score for students with disabilities in

• The nation was 186 at grade 4 and 230 at grade 8.
• California was 175 at grade 4 and 213 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 201 at grade 4 and 235 at grade 8, both of which were higher than the nation.
• Illinois was 183 at grade 4 and 230 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 189 at grade 4 and 234 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.
• Texas was 188 at grade 4 and 230 at grade 8, both of which were not significantly different from the nation.

The average science score for English language learners in

• The nation was 188 at grade 4 and 223 at grade 8.
• California was 186 at grade 4 and 220 at grade 8, both of which were lower than the nation.
• Florida was 195 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 225 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• Illinois was 180 at grade 4, lower than the nation, and 224 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.
• New York was 187 at grade 4, not significantly different from the nation, and 216 at grade 8, lower than the nation.
• Texas was 197 at grade 4, higher than the nation, and 225 at grade 8, not significantly different from the nation.

By student group, the number of times

• California scored above the nation in science was 0 at grade 4 and 0 at grade 8.
• Florida scored above the nation in science was 5 at grade 4 and 1 at grade 8.
• Illinois scored above the nation in science was 0 at grade 4 and 0 at grade 8.
• New York scored above the nation in science was 0 at grade 4 and 0 at grade 8.
• Texas scored above the nation in science was 4 at grade 4 and 7 at grade 8.

NOTE: Black includes African American, Hispanic includes Latino, and Pacific Islander includes Native Hawaiian. Race categories exclude Hispanic origin.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2009 and 2011 Science Assessments, and 2011 Mathematics and Reading Assessments.