What percentage of students in are proficient in math?

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About 35% of 4th graders and 21% of 8th graders in Louisiana 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.

35%

of Louisiana 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024

21%

of Louisiana 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, 5% of 4th graders in Louisiana were advanced in math and 30% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (65%) scored at basic or below. Seventy-nine percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.

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

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

Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Louisiana 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 was lower in Louisiana than the US in every test year since 2003. Among 8th graders, math proficiency was lower in Louisiana than the US in every test year since 2003.

Louisiana 4th graders had lower math proficiency than the US in every test year

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Louisiana 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. This has been the case since 1992.

In 8th grade, white students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 1992.

The math proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 3.1 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Louisiana, 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 (38% and 31%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had similar proficiency compared to male students (21% and 21%, respectively).

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

Louisiana had the ninth lowest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between California and Arizona. This is 16 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Louisiana was eighth lowest in math proficiency.

Louisiana is ninth lowest in 4th grade math proficiency and eighth lowest in 8th grade

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state 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.