What percentage of students in Delaware are proficient in reading?
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About 26% of 4th graders and 23% of 8th graders in Delaware 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 Delaware 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
23%
of Delaware 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, 6% of 4th graders in Delaware were advanced in reading and 20% were proficient, which means that about 3 out of 4 (74%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 77% scored at basic or below.
Delaware 4th graders in 2024 were lower than the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also lower than the US.
Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware was higher than the US in 3 test years (2002, 2005, and 2013). It was lower in 6 years (1992, 1994, 1998, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Delaware and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Delaware was lower than the US in 7 test years (1998, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Delaware and the US.
Delaware 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency compared to the US in 6 out of 15 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Delaware 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, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2002.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2011.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2002.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2011.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 2.8 times higher than the group with the lowest (Hispanic students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Delaware, 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 (25% and 28%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had higher proficiency compared to male students (28% and 19%, respectively).
How do Delaware students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Delaware had the eighth lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Oregon and Arizona. This is 14 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Delaware was seventh lowest in reading proficiency.
Delaware is eighth lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and seventh 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.
