What percentage of students in Rhode Island are proficient in math?
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About 38% of 4th graders and 26% of 8th graders in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
26%
of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island were advanced in math and 29% were proficient, which means that about 5 out of 8 (62%) scored at basic or below. Seventy-four percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.
Rhode Island 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also not significantly different from the US.
Rhode Island 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also not significantly different from the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island was lower than the US in 4 test years (2003, 2005, 2007, and 2015). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Rhode Island and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in Rhode Island was lower than the US in 7 test years (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2019, and 2022). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Rhode Island and the US.
Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 2022.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also had the highest rate of math proficiency in 2024.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also had the highest rate of math proficiency in 2024.
The math proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 2.8 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Rhode Island, 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 31%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Rhode Island students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Rhode Island had the 22nd lowest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Kentucky and Illinois. This is 13 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Rhode Island was 24th lowest in math proficiency.
Rhode Island is 22nd lowest in 4th grade math proficiency and 24th 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.
