What percentage of students in are proficient in math?

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About 45% of 4th graders and 21% of 8th graders in Florida were considered proficient in math in 2024, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The NAEP, also known as the Nation's Report Card, assesses 4th and 8th graders' progress in reading and math approximately every two years. Students in public, private, and charter schools are included in NAEP testing.

45%

of Florida 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024

21%

of Florida 8th graders were proficient in math in 2024
The NAEP uses a scale of 0-500 points to group 4th and 8th grade students into three achievement levels (basic, proficient, or advanced). "Proficient" is the benchmark used to describe students who demonstrate competency with challenging subject matter. However, NAEP proficiency is not the same as being on "grade level," which is often assessed by other state and district tests. More information on NAEP skill expectations at each grade level is available here.
In 2024, 11% of 4th graders in Florida were advanced in math and 34% were proficient, which means that about 5 out of 9 (55%) scored at basic or below. Seventy-nine percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.

Florida 4th graders in 2024 were higher than the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.

In 2024, the percentage of Florida 4th graders at a proficient or advanced math level was higher than the US average.

Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Florida and the US

How has math proficiency changed over time?

From this point onward, “proficiency” includes students who were at or above proficient in math (proficient and advanced students).
Among 4th graders, math proficiency in Florida was higher than the US in 4 test years (2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024). It was lower in 1 year (2011). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Florida and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency was lower in Florida than the US in every test year since 2003.

Florida 4th graders had a similar level of math proficiency as the US in 6 out of 11 test years

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Florida and the US, 1992–2024

Math proficiency has also varied over time for students of varying demographics. This is often referred to as the achievement gap.

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Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of math proficiency. This has been the case since 2003.

In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 2003.

The math proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 3.2 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Florida, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024

Does math proficiency differ by gender?

In 2024, male students had higher math proficiency than female students in 4th grade (48% and 41%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.

How do Florida students compare to other states in math proficiency?

Florida had the fourth highest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Utah and Minnesota. This is 6 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Florida was ninth lowest in math proficiency.

Florida is fourth highest in 4th grade math proficiency and ninth lowest in 8th grade

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024

How do Florida’s school districts compare to other districts in math proficiency?

The NAEP collected data in a subset of the nation's largest urban school districts (26 total) in 2024. Four of these districts are in Florida: Duval County Public Schools, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Orange County Public Schools.

Duval County Public Schools

4th grade students in Duval County Public Schools had a math proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 18%. Among the districts that participated, Duval County Public Schools was 10th-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and 11th-lowest in 8th grade.


Hillsborough County Public Schools

4th grade students in Hillsborough County Public Schools had a math proficiency of 39%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 20%. Among the districts that participated, Hillsborough County Public Schools was seventh-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and 13th-highest in 8th grade.


Miami-Dade County Public Schools

4th grade students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools had a math proficiency of 49%, which is higher than the US average. 8th grade students were at 22%. Among the districts that participated, Miami-Dade County Public Schools was the highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and eighth-highest in 8th grade.


Orange County Public Schools

4th grade students in Orange County Public Schools had a math proficiency of 42%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 20%. Among the districts that participated, Orange County Public Schools was fourth-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and 11th-highest in 8th grade.

Explore how Florida school districts compare to other districts and the US as a whole

Percentage of 4th and 8th grade students in each district who were proficient in math in 2024

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

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USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.