What percentage of students in Arizona are proficient in reading?
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About 26% of 4th graders and 25% of 8th graders in Arizona 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.
26%
of Arizona 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
25%
of Arizona 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, 7% of 4th graders in Arizona were advanced in reading and 19% were proficient, which means that about 3 out of 4 (74%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 75% scored at basic or below.
Arizona 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
Arizona 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 Arizona 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 Arizona 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 in Arizona was lower than the US in 14 test years (1992, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2024). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Arizona and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Arizona was lower than the US in 11 test years (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Arizona and the US.
Arizona 4th graders had lower reading proficiency than the US in 14 out of 15 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Arizona and the US, 1992–2024
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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 2022.
In 8th grade, white students also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
Among 4th graders in 2024, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2022.
In 8th grade, white students also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.
The reading proficiency rate for white students in 4th grade is 3.1 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 Arizona, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, there was not a significant difference in reading proficiency between male and female students in 4th grade (24% and 29%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had higher proficiency compared to male students (29% and 22%, respectively).
How do Arizona students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Arizona had the seventh lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Delaware and Maine. This is 14 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Arizona was 14th lowest in reading proficiency.
Arizona is seventh lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 14th 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.
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.
