State Average Scores
The table below shows the number of states/jurisdictions with score increases or decreases in 2019 and how many states/jurisdictions scored higher, lower, or not significantly different than the nation (public) in NAEP reading.
| Number of states/jurisdictions in 2019 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Change in average NAEP reading score between 2017 and 2019 | Total | Higher than nation (public) | Not significantly different from nation (public) | Lower than nation (public) |
| Score increase | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| No significant change in score | 34 | 9 | 15 | 10 |
| Score decrease | 17 | 8 | 7 | 2 |
To compare average reading scores between states/jurisdictions and the nation (public), use the NAEP State Profiles Tool.
In the 17 states where scores were lower in 2019 than 2017, the size of the score differences ranged from 3 to 6 points.
To view score changes for fourth-grade public school students in reading between 2019 and previous assessment years, use the drop-down menu to select a comparison year. To see whether the score change in one state/jurisdiction is statistically different from the score change in another state/jurisdiction, use the NAEP State Profiles Tool. Find out how statistical significance is determined.
Additional State Resources
See how a state performed over time, view a state's demographics and school characteristics, download snapshot reports, and compare each state's overall performance to performance nationwide or in other states.
When comparing state/jurisdiction average scores in reading for fourth-grade public school students in 2019 with those from 2017, the previous assessment year,
Results for states/jurisdictions reflect the performance of students in public schools only and are reported along with the results for public school students in the nation. Most states with lower scores than in 2017 scored higher than or not significantly different from the national public average score in 2019.
Explore the interactive map below to see which states saw increases or decreases and by how much. Scroll down to explore the magnitude of average score changes across states.