What percentage of students in Kansas are proficient in reading?
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About 28% of 4th graders and 25% of 8th graders in Kansas 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.
28%
of Kansas 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024
25%
of Kansas 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 Kansas were advanced in reading and 23% were proficient, which means that about 5 out of 7 (72%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 75% scored at basic or below.
Kansas 4th graders in 2024 were not statistically different from the US average in reading proficiency. 8th grade proficiency was lower than the US.
Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas 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 Kansas and the US in every test year since 1998. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Kansas was higher than the US in 3 test years (2002, 2005, and 2007). It was lower in 2 years (2022 and 2024). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Kansas and the US.
Kansas 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 Kansas and the US, 1998–2024
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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.
In 8th grade, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency since 2019.
Among 4th graders in 2024, Asian/Pacific Islander students had the highest rate of reading proficiency.
In 8th grade, white students had the highest rate of reading proficiency since 2019.
The reading proficiency rate for Asian/Pacific Islander students in 4th grade is 4.7 times higher than the group with the lowest (Black students) in 2024.
Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Kansas, by race/ethnicity, 1998–2024
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 (27% and 29%, respectively). However, among 8th graders, female students had higher proficiency compared to male students (31% and 20%, respectively).
How do Kansas students compare to other states in reading proficiency?
Kansas had the 16th lowest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between California and Arkansas. This is 12 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Kansas was 11th lowest in reading proficiency.
Kansas is 16th lowest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 11th 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.
