What percentage of students in Nebraska are proficient in math?
Refreshed intermittently
About 40% of 4th graders and 32% of 8th graders in Nebraska 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.
40%
of Nebraska 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
32%
of Nebraska 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, 8% of 4th graders in Nebraska were advanced in math and 32% were proficient, which means that about 3 out of 5 (60%) scored at basic or below. Sixty-eight percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.
Nebraska 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was higher than the US.
Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska was higher than the US in 4 test years (2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Nebraska and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in Nebraska was higher than the US in 7 test years (2003, 2005, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Nebraska and the US.
Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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.
Get weekly insights
Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.
Among 4th graders in 2024, white students had the highest rate of math proficiency. This has been the case since 2019.
In 8th grade, white students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 2015.
In 8th grade, white students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 2015.
The math proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 4.8 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Nebraska, 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 (44% and 36%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Nebraska students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Nebraska had the 24th highest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between South Carolina and Washington. This is 11 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Nebraska was seventh highest in math proficiency.
Nebraska is 24th highest in 4th grade math proficiency and seventh highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024
Keep exploring
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.
