What percentage of students in Pennsylvania are proficient in math?
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About 41% of 4th graders and 31% of 8th graders in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
31%
of Pennsylvania 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, 10% of 4th graders in Pennsylvania were advanced in math and 31% 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.
Pennsylvania 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was higher than the US.
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania was higher than the US in 8 test years (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, and 2019). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Pennsylvania and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in Pennsylvania was higher than the US in 7 test years (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Pennsylvania and the US.
Pennsylvania 4th graders had higher math proficiency than the US in 8 out of 11 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Pennsylvania 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 2005.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 2005.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 2005.
The math proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 5.0 times higher than the group with the lowest (Hispanic students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Pennsylvania, 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 (45% and 37%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had similar proficiency compared to male students (30% and 33%, respectively).
How do Pennsylvania students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Pennsylvania had the 18th highest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Colorado and North Carolina. This is 10 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Pennsylvania was 15th highest in math proficiency.
Pennsylvania is 18th highest in 4th grade math proficiency and 15th highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024
How do School District of Philadelphia 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 Pennsylvania - School District of Philadelphia.
4th grade students in School District of Philadelphia had a math proficiency of 19% in 2024. This is lower than both the Pennsylvania and US averages.
8th grade students in School District of Philadelphia had a math proficiency of 15% in 2024. This is lower than both the Pennsylvania and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, School District of Philadelphia had the fifth lowest math proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the seventh lowest in 8th grade.
The math proficiency rate for School District of Philadelphia 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.
