What percentage of students in Florida are proficient in reading?
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About 33% of 4th graders and 25% of 8th graders in Florida 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.
33%
of Florida 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
25%
of Florida 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, 9% of 4th graders in Florida were advanced in reading and 24% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (67%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 75% scored at basic or below.
Florida 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.
Florida 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Florida 4th graders at a proficient or advanced reading level was similar to the US average.
Percentage of students at each NAEP achievement level in 4th and 8th grade in 2024 in Florida 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 Florida was higher than the US in 3 test years (2013, 2017, and 2022). It was lower in 4 years (1992, 1994, 1998, and 2002). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Florida and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Florida was lower than the US in 8 test years (1998, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Florida and the US.
Florida 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 8 out of 15 test years
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Florida 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 2007.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2005.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2007.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2005.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 2.8 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Florida, by race/ethnicity, 1992–2024
Does reading proficiency differ by gender?
In 2024, female students had higher reading proficiency than male students in 4th grade (37% and 29%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.
How do Florida students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Florida had the 10th highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Maryland and Pennsylvania. This is 7 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Florida was 13th lowest in reading proficiency.
Florida is 10th highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 13th lowest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do Florida’s school districts compare to other districts in reading 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 Florida: Duval County Public Schools, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Orange County Public Schools.
Duval County Public Schools
4th grade students in Duval County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 27%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 20%. Among the districts that participated, Duval County Public Schools was 13th-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and ninth-lowest in 8th grade.
Hillsborough County Public Schools
4th grade students in Hillsborough County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 26%. Among the districts that participated, Hillsborough County Public Schools was fourth-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and 10th-highest in 8th grade.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
4th grade students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 28%. Among the districts that participated, Miami-Dade County Public Schools was third-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and fifth-highest in 8th grade.
Orange County Public Schools
4th grade students in Orange County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 24%. Among the districts that participated, Orange County Public Schools was fifth-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and 13th-highest in 8th grade.
4th grade students in Duval County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 27%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 20%. Among the districts that participated, Duval County Public Schools was 13th-lowest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and ninth-lowest in 8th grade.
Hillsborough County Public Schools
4th grade students in Hillsborough County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 26%. Among the districts that participated, Hillsborough County Public Schools was fourth-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and 10th-highest in 8th grade.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
4th grade students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 28%. Among the districts that participated, Miami-Dade County Public Schools was third-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and fifth-highest in 8th grade.
Orange County Public Schools
4th grade students in Orange County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 35%, which is similar to the US average. 8th grade students were at 24%. Among the districts that participated, Orange County Public Schools was fifth-highest in reading proficiency in 4th grade, and 13th-highest in 8th grade.
Explore how Florida 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 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.
