Performance by Student Groups
National Student Group Scores
Average scores decreased across most student groups in 2024
Average mathematics scores in 2024 were lower for twelfth-graders in the following student groups compared to 2019:
- Black, Hispanic, and White students;
- male and female students;
- students who were identified and not identified as economically disadvantaged;
- students with parents across all levels of education;
- students attending public schools and public, noncharter schools;
- students attending city, suburban, and town schools;
- students attending schools in the South and West regions;
- students who were not identified as students with disabilities; and
- students who were not identified as English learners.
For Hispanic students and students whose parents had some education after high school, scores declined for lower-, middle-, and higher-performing students in 2024 compared to 2019.
Mathematics scores declined overall and at all selected percentiles except the 90th for the following student groups: female students; students who were identified as economically disadvantaged; students whose parents graduated from high school; students attending public schools; students attending noncharter schools; students who were not identified as students with disabilities; and students who were not identified as English learners.
To see trends in average scores and in scores at the 25th and 75th percentiles by selected student groups, select the comparison years and click on the student group label below.
Use the NAEP Data Explorer to see scores at all five selected percentiles (10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th) for all reported student groups. See more information about years with available data by student demographic groups.
Beginning with the 2024 assessment, the variable previously reported as “NSLP eligibility” is relabeled as economically disadvantaged status. See the About page for more information.
Figure Changes in twelfth-grade NAEP mathematics average and selected percentile scores between 2019 and 2024, by selected student groups
National Student Group Score Distributions
While the NAEP average scale score serves as a reliable indicator of student group performance overall, student group score distributions indicate the range of scale scores within student groups. NAEP assessment results show that within most student groups there is a wide distribution of scores. Comparison of score distributions between student groups can also show the high degree of overlap in performance between groups, even among groups with significant average score differences.
For example, the chart below shows the distribution of scores along the NAEP mathematics scale for twelfth-grade students who were identified as having high, middle, and low socioeconomic status (SES), as measured using the NAEP SES Index. Looking at the distribution of mathematics scores by students’ SES index categories shows the following:
- A larger percentage of students who were identified as having high SES scored above the average score for all students compared to students who were identified as having middle or low SES.
- A larger percentage of students who were identified as having middle SES scored above the average score for all students compared to students who were identified as having low SES.
Use the drop-down menu below to view the percentage distribution of scores along the NAEP mathematics scale for selected student groups.
Figure Score distribution in twelfth-grade NAEP mathematics by NAEP SES index (3 components): 2024
Group Population Percentages
Demographic changes in student populations
Compared to the previous assessment year in 2019, the percentages of twelfth-grade students have changed for some student groups. For example, in 2024, the percentage of students whose parents had some education after high school was lower, while the percentage of students whose parents graduated from college was higher. The percentage of students who were identified as English learners was higher, while the percentage of students who were identified as not economically disadvantaged was lower.
Select a student group from the drop-down menu to view changes in the percentage of students for that group over time at the national level.
Table Percentage distribution of students in twelfth-grade NAEP mathematics, by race/ethnicity and assessment year
| Year | American Indian/Alaska Native | Asian | Asian/Pacific Islander | Black | Hispanic | Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | Two or More Races | White |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ||||||||
| 2019 | ||||||||
| 2015 | ||||||||
| 2013 | ||||||||
| 2009 | ||||||||
| 2005 |