What percentage of students in Illinois are proficient in reading?
Refreshed intermittently
About 30% of 4th graders and 33% of 8th graders in Illinois 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.
30%
of Illinois 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
33%
of Illinois 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 Illinois were advanced in reading and 21% were proficient, which means that about 7 out of 10 (70%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 67% scored at basic or below.
Illinois 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also not statistically different from the US.
Illinois 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was also not statistically different from the US.
In 2024, the percentage of Illinois 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 Illinois 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 similar in Illinois and the US in every test year since 2003. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency was similar in Illinois and the US in every test year since 2003.
Illinois 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in every test year
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Illinois and the US, 2003–2024
Get weekly insights
Subscribe for data-driven insights. No spin, just the facts.
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 2003.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2003.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency. This has been the case since 2003.
In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also have had the highest rate of reading proficiency of all groups since 2003.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 3.1 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Illinois, by race/ethnicity, 2003–2024
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 (28% and 33%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had higher proficiency compared to male students (36% and 30%, respectively).
How do Illinois students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Illinois had the 22nd lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Georgia and North Carolina. This is 10 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Illinois was eighth highest in reading proficiency.
Illinois is 22nd lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and eighth highest in 8th grade
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024
How do Chicago Public Schools students 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. One of these districts is in Illinois - Chicago Public Schools.
4th grade students in Chicago Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 23% in 2024. This is lower than both the Illinois and US averages.
8th grade students in Chicago Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 27% in 2024. This is lower than the Illinois average, but similar to the US average.
Among the districts that participated, Chicago Public Schools had the ninth lowest reading proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the eighth highest in 8th grade.
The reading proficiency rate for Chicago Public Schools 4th graders was lower than the US average
Percentage of 4th and 8th grade students in each district who were proficient in reading in 2024
Keep exploring
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.
