What percentage of students in are proficient in reading?

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About 33% of 4th graders and 29% of 8th graders in Kentucky 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 Kentucky 4th graders were proficient in reading in 2024

29%

of Kentucky 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, 10% of 4th graders in Kentucky were advanced in reading and 23% were proficient, which means that about 2 out of 3 (67%) scored at basic or below. In 8th grade, 71% scored at basic or below.

Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky 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 Kentucky was higher than the US in 1 test year (2015). It was lower in 1 year (1992). In all other test years since 1992, there was not a significant difference between Kentucky and the US. Among 8th graders, reading proficiency in Kentucky was higher than the US in 1 test year (2011). It was lower in 1 year (2007). In all other test years since 1998, there was not a significant difference between Kentucky and the US.

Kentucky 4th graders had a similar level of reading proficiency as the US in 13 out of 15 test years

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders who were proficient in reading in Kentucky 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 2009.

In 8th grade, Asian/Pacific Islander students also had the highest rate of reading proficiency in 2024.

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 Kentucky, 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 28%, respectively). The same was true for 8th graders.

How do Kentucky students compare to other states in reading proficiency?

Kentucky had the 12th highest 4th grade reading proficiency rate in the US in 2024, in between Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. This is 8 percentage points lower than Massachusetts, the state with the highest proficiency (40%). For 8th graders, Kentucky was 25th lowest in reading proficiency.

Kentucky is 12th highest in 4th grade reading proficiency and 25th lowest in 8th grade

Percentage of 4th and 8th graders in each state who were proficient in reading in 2024

How do Jefferson County 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 Kentucky - Jefferson County Public Schools.
4th grade students in Jefferson County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 26% in 2024. This is lower than both the Kentucky and US averages.
8th grade students in Jefferson County Public Schools had a reading proficiency of 23% in 2024. This is lower than both the Kentucky and US averages.
Among the districts that participated, Jefferson County Public Schools had the 12th lowest reading proficiency rate in 4th grade, and the 12th lowest in 8th grade.

The reading proficiency rate for Jefferson County 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

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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.