What percentage of students in Alaska are proficient in reading?
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About 22% of 4th graders and 22% of 8th graders in Alaska were considered proficient in reading 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.
22%
of Alaska 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
22%
of Alaska 8th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
The NAEP uses a scale of 0-500 points to group 4th and 8th 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, 5% of 4th graders in Alaska were advanced in reading and 17% were proficient, which means that about 7 out of 9 (78%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 78% scored at basic or below.
Alaska 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
Alaska 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Alaska 4th graders at a proficient or advanced reading level was lower than the US average.
Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Alaska and the US
How has reading proficiency changed over time?
From this point onward, “proficiency” includes students who were at or above proficient in reading (proficient and advanced students).
Among 4th graders, reading proficiency was lower in Alaska than the US in every test year since 2003. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Alaska was lower than the US in 10 test years (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 2003, there was not a significant difference between Alaska and the US.
Alaska 4th graders had lower reading proficiency than the US in every test year
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Alaska and the US, 2003–2024
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Reading proficiency has also varied over time for students of varying demographics. This is often referred to as the achievement gap.
Among 4th graders in 2024, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2003.
In 8th grade, white students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2003.
Among 4th graders in 2024, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2003.
In 8th grade, white students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2003.
The reading proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 6.7 times higher than the group with the lowest (American Indian/Alaska Native students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Alaska, by race/ethnicity, 2003–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, female students had higher reading proficiency than male students in 4th grade (24% and 19%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Alaska students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Alaska had the second lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, only ahead of New Mexico. This is 19 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Alaska was fifth lowest in reading proficiency.
Alaska is second lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and fifth lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading 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.
