What percentage of students in Kentucky are proficient in math?
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About 38% of 4th graders and 24% of 8th graders in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
24%
of Kentucky 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, 6% of 4th graders in Kentucky were advanced in math and 32% were proficient, which means that about 5 out of 8 (62%) scored at basic or below. Seventy-six percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.
Kentucky 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky was lower than the US in 4 test years (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2022). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Kentucky and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency was lower in Kentucky than the US in every test year since 2003.
Kentucky 4th graders had a similar level of math proficiency as the US in 7 out of 11 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Kentucky 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, white students had the highest rate of math proficiency.
Among 8th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of math proficiency.
The math proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 2.5 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Kentucky, 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 (42% and 35%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had similar proficiency compared to male students (22% and 26%, respectively).
How do Kentucky students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Kentucky had the 23rd lowest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Iowa and Rhode Island. This is 13 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Kentucky was 19th lowest in math proficiency.
Kentucky is 23rd lowest in 4th grade math proficiency and 19th lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024
How do Jefferson County 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 Kentucky - Jefferson County Public Schools.
4th grade students in Jefferson County Public Schools had a math proficiency of 27% in 2024. This is lower than both the Kentucky and US averages.
8th grade students in Jefferson County Public Schools had a math proficiency of 15% in 2024. This is lower than both the Kentucky and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, Jefferson County Public Schools had the ninth lowest math proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the eighth lowest in 8th grade.
The math proficiency rate for Jefferson County 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.
Page sources
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.
