What percentage of students in Wisconsin are proficient in math?
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About 42% of 4th graders and 37% of 8th graders in Wisconsin 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.
42%
of Wisconsin 4th graders were proficient in math in 2024
37%
of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin were advanced in math and 32% were proficient, which means that about 4 out of 7 (58%) scored at basic or below. Sixty-three percent of 8th graders scored at basic or below.
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin was higher than the US in 9 test years (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2022). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Wisconsin and the US. Among 8th graders, math proficiency was higher in Wisconsin than the US in every test year since 2003.
Wisconsin 4th graders had higher math proficiency than the US in 9 out of 11 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Wisconsin 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, white students had the highest rate of math proficiency. This has been the case since 1992.
In 8th grade, white students also have had the highest rate of math proficiency of all groups since 1992.
The math proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 10.9 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in math in Wisconsin, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024
Does math proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, there was not a significant difference in math proficiency between male and female students in 4th grade (45% and 39%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Wisconsin students compare to other states in math proficiency?
Wisconsin had the 14th highest 4th grade math proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Hawaii and Connecticut. This is 9 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (51%). For 8th graders, Wisconsin was third highest in math proficiency.
Wisconsin is 14th highest in 4th grade math proficiency and third highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in math in 2024
How do Milwaukee Public Schools 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 Wisconsin - Milwaukee Public Schools.
4th grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools had a math proficiency of 12% in 2024. This is lower than both the Wisconsin and US averages.
8th grade students in Milwaukee Public Schools had a math proficiency of 8% in 2024. This is lower than both the Wisconsin and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, Milwaukee Public Schools had the third lowest math proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the third lowest in 8th grade.
The math proficiency rate for Milwaukee Public Schools 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.
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.
