What percentage of students in are proficient in math?

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About 43% of 4th graders and 24% of 8th graders in Texas 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.

43%

of Texas 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024

24%

of Texas 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 Texas were advanced in math and 34% were proficient, which means that about 4 out of 7 (57%) scored at basic or below. Seventy-six percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.

Texas 4th graders in 2024 were not significantly different from the US average in math proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.

In 2024, the percentage of Texas 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 Texas 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 Texas was higher than the US in 2 test years (2005 and 2015). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Texas and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency in Texas was higher than the US in 2 test years (2007 and 2011). It was lower in 4 years (2003, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Texas and the US.

Texas 4th graders had a similar level of math proficiency as the US in 9 out of 11 test years

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Texas 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 2000.

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

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 Texas, 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 38%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.

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

Texas had the ninth highest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between North Dakota and Ohio. This is 8 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Texas was 15th lowest in math proficiency.

Texas is ninth highest in 4th grade math proficiency and 15th lowest in 8th grade

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

How do Texas’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. Four of these districts are in Texas: Austin Independent School District, Dallas Independent School District, Fort Worth Independent School District, and Houston Independent School District.

Austin Independent School District

4th grade students in Austin Independent School District had a math proficiency of 46%, which is higher than the US average. 8th grade students were at 29%. Among the districts that participated, Austin Independent School District was second-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and third-highest in 8th grade.


Dallas Independent School District

4th grade students in Dallas Independent School District had a math proficiency of 33%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 15%. Among the districts that participated, Dallas Independent School District was 13th-highest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and sixth-lowest in 8th grade.


Fort Worth Independent School District

4th grade students in Fort Worth Independent School District had a math proficiency of 25%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 11%. Among the districts that participated, Fort Worth Independent School District was seventh-lowest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and fifth-lowest in 8th grade.


Houston Independent School District

4th grade students in Houston Independent School District had a math proficiency of 32%, which is lower than the US average. 8th grade students were at 20%. Among the districts that participated, Houston Independent School District was 11th-lowest in math proficiency in 4th grade, and 12th-highest in 8th grade.

Explore how Texas 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.