What percentage of students in Illinois are proficient in math?
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About 38% of 4th graders and 32% of 8th graders in Illinois 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.
38%
of Illinois 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
32%
of Illinois 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, 9% of 4th graders in Illinois were advanced in math and 29% were proficient, which means that about 5 out of 8 (62%) scored at basic or below. Sixty-eight percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.
Illinois 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was higher than the US.
Illinois 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was higher than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Illinois 4th graders at a proficient or advanced math level was similar to the US average.
Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Illinois 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 Illinois was lower than the US in 2 test years (2005 and 2015). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Illinois and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in Illinois was higher than the US in 1 test year (2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Illinois and the US.
Illinois 4th graders had a similar level of math proficiency as the US in 9 out of 11 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Illinois and the US, 2000–2024
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.
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 3.4 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Illinois, by race/ethnicity, 2000–2024
Does math proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, there was not a significant difference in math proficiency between male and female students in 4th grade (40% and 36%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had lower proficiency compared to male students (28% and 36%, respectively).
How do Illinois students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Illinois had the 21st lowest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Rhode Island and Mississippi. This is 13 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Illinois was ninth highest in math proficiency.
Illinois is 21st lowest in 4th grade math proficiency and ninth highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024
How do Chicago Public Schools students 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. One of these districts is in Illinois - Chicago Public Schools.
4th grade students in Chicago Public Schools had a math proficiency of 24% in 2024. This is lower than both the Illinois and US averages.
8th grade students in Chicago Public Schools had a math proficiency of 21% in 2024. This is lower than both the Illinois and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, Chicago Public Schools had the sixth lowest math proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the 10th highest in 8th grade.
The math proficiency rate for Chicago Public Schools 4th graders was lower than the US average
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.
