What percentage of students in are proficient in math?

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About 41% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders in North Carolina 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.

41%

of North Carolina 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024

31%

of North Carolina 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 North Carolina were advanced in math and 32% were proficient, which means that about 3 out of 5 (59%) scored at basic or below. Sixty-nine percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.

North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina was higher than the US in 6 test years (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2015). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between North Carolina and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in North Carolina was higher than the US in 2 test years (2003 and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between North Carolina and the US.

North Carolina 4th graders had higher math proficiency than the US in 6 out of 11 test years

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in North Carolina 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 2.9 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in North Carolina, 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 (47% and 36%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.

How do North Carolina students compare to other states in math proficiency?

North Carolina had the 19th highest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Pennsylvania and Idaho. This is 10 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, North Carolina was 14th highest in math proficiency.

North Carolina is 19th highest in 4th grade math proficiency and 14th highest in 8th grade

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

How do North Carolina’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. Two of these districts are in North Carolina: Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and Guilford County School District.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

4th grade students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had a math proficiency of 43%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 32%. Among the districts that participated, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools was third-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and the highest in 8th grade.


Guilford County School District

4th grade students in Guilford County School District had a math proficiency of 40%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 25%. Among the districts that participated, Guilford County School District was sixth-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and fourth-highest in 8th grade.

Explore how North Carolina 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.

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.